Nelly Korda and Megan Khang after winning their afternoon match
Claire Rogers
Hello, friends, and Happy Friday from Robert Trent Jones Golf Club! I woke up very early this morning (5:00 am) to shoot the alarms at 7:05, but when that alarm went off I was wide awake and ready — this was the day I was looking forward to. to.
From what I’ve read elsewhere I know the coverage of today’s event wasn’t all good, but it was there so It’s so good on the site that I’m going to focus on all my favorite moments from the day. Let’s get straight to them.
Opening tee shots
Unfortunately, things got off to a bad start at the Solheim Cup on Friday morning due to the transport situation, which you may have read about by now. Thousands of fans gave themselves enough time to reach the summit but missed it because there were not enough buses to take them there.
You can read all about the shuttle news elsewhere, but what makes me sad is thinking about the people who never made it to the course and what they missed out on. This is where we will turn our focus – to the good. There was a a lot of them.
A local hero has emerged.
My first favorite moment of the morning came when Lauren Coughlin – Virginia native, University of Virginia graduate and Solheim Cup winner – entered the first game. The fans were shouting his name and I can’t even imagine what it must mean for him to join this team. He is the oldest member of Team USA and a late bloomer, having picked up his first two LPGA wins this season.
I believe this is what we can call a Cinderella Story.
The fans were amazing – and thoughtful.
I had a few good interactions with golf fans before I had breakfast this morning, so it’s safe to say it was a successful day at the Solheim Cup. The first happened while I was waiting in the newsstand for the first tee. I heard my name, turned around, and a young woman beckoned to me. He had made me a Solheim Cup friendship bracelet, and I had been wearing it all day. The vibes here at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club so good. Over the past year or so, I’ve seen posts from Taylor Swift fans who attended the Eras Tour saying that the interaction with other fans is what made the concert as great as it was. That’s exactly how I feel about the Solheim Cup so far.
Claire Rogers
I went over to the fan area to get coffee after the morning games and found myself waiting in line for 45 minutes. However, it didn’t matter because I was surrounded by a number of other women who were discussing golf. (That’s not a theme at all competitions.) Another woman next to me in line had just bought a muffin at the grocery store and gave me half of it. There were two Irish sisters, probably in their 50s, who were there so I’m excited to be at their first professional golf event. Moments later, I heard a little girl tell someone next to her that she made eye contact with Lexi Thompson and that her life changed because of it.
I cover a a lot of golf tournaments, and this is the most female-dominated crowd I’ve ever seen. It’s so refreshing (and a nice change of pace!) to see all these women of all ages come together in the excitement of supporting the best players in the world. This week there was a good atmosphere in this department.
Once they arrived at the site, the crowds brought it.
The afternoon four-ball matches served as a sort of redemption for the morning’s opening shots. The stands were packed, the crowds were loud and the music was blasting.
Even former President Barack Obama was there to take all these steps.
I can see this picture becoming a great meme one day, and I promise to use it wisely.
I spent most of my morning hanging around some pits waiting for teams to come through, but I decided to stick with Nelly Korda and Megan Khang in the afternoon and I’m so glad I did. When they started things off by dancing down the first aisle, I knew I was in for a treat.
Nelly and Megan made my day.
We can’t all relate to being the number 1 player in the world, a major champion or representing your country at the highest level of golf. But we can all relate to being bundled up next to your best friend, and the joy you get as you walk the first road together knowing you’re about to have the time of your life. Korda and Khang felt very connected during this moment and I’m so glad our videographer, John Sodaro, caught it on camera.
Watching Korda sink his eagle putt to win the match 6&4 will probably go down as my favorite golf moment of 2024. There’s nothing like watching Korda at his best, and the fact that he won with his best tour mate by his side is no coincidence. It was so much fun to watch see you are very happy together.
Their celebration was amazing. As soon as I saw their successful handshake, I was reminded of the twins’ handshake in “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody” (sorry, 90s kid in me showing). Two minutes later, my colleague Zephyr Melton and I asked where their handshake came from, and Korda and Khang explained that it was actually a handshake from the iconic Disney Channel show.
Dylan and Cole Sprouse: I’m not sure if you’re serious readers of the Rogers Report, but if you are, just know that your influence is bigger than you think. You have the world number 1 copying you!
I’d also like to take a moment to appreciate how crazy it is that Korda and Khang won 6&4, a complete blowout, over Georgia Hall and Leona Maguire, two of the best players in the world. Next level golf. I was lucky enough to go there to see it.
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