Team Europe captain Anna Nordqvist had predicted that the opening tee at Bernardus Golf would become 'the place to be in the golfing world,' and her forecast proved entirely accurate as the competition delivered a scene of unparalleled theatre in women's professional golf.
The horseshoe-shaped grandstand encircling the first tee reached near-full capacity well before sunrise, with approximately 3,000 spectators packed into the stands and many more lining the fairway. The energy created resembled a festival rather than a traditional golf tournament, with waves of noise and celebration building throughout the morning.
Angela Stanford, the United States captain, danced her way onto the tee after walking through the tunnel—a passage that Charley Hull had described earlier in the week as
entering an arena. Vice-captains from both teams amplified the noise further, determined to push the atmosphere to even greater heights.
The Dutch supporters proved instrumental in establishing the carnival-like setting. One banner proclaimed 'Dutch courage, European glory', while the crowd's energy more closely resembled a football stadium or darts championship than a golf course. Anne van Dam, Nordqvist's vice-captain, seized the microphone to lead the spectators through 'Links Rechts', the unofficial anthem that Dutch football fans adopted during the World Cup, complete with synchronized bouncing.
Nordqvist reflected on the opening moments with evident satisfaction.
It doesn't get better than this. The crowds are amazing. I don't think I've ever seen this many Europeans on the first tee.
The visual spectacle unfolded as thousands of supporters dressed in banana costumes, star-spangled suits and oversized golf bucket hats jumped in unison at 7:20am. The dancing and singing intensified as the moment approached for play to commence, creating what could only be described as a brilliantly chaotic scene.
Let's go Europe, let's go!chants reverberated through the grandstand before Europe's adopted anthem, 'The Final Countdown', blasted through the speakers. Team USA's opening pairing of Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz arrived nearly ten minutes ahead of schedule, clearly eager to absorb the electric environment.
Hull and rookie Lottie Woad completed the opening foursome, with each pairing's arrival marked by smoke cannons, roaring cheers and creative adaptations of chants borrowed from other sports. The big screens displayed a 'quiet please' message before the opening drives, and a Corpuz-inspired reworking of the Beatles' 'Hey Jude' gave way to respectful silence as players struck their opening shots.
The celebration continued long after Woad holed the tournament's opening birdie on the first green. Paula Creamer, the USA vice-captain sporting her signature cowboy hat, and fan favourite Megan Khang were among those showcasing their dance moves as the party atmosphere persisted.
Creative chants filled the air throughout the morning.
Ohhhh, Leona Maguirewas sung to the melody of Kings of Leon's 'Sex on Fire', while Desmond Dekker's 'Israelites' was adapted to incorporate Esther Henseleit's name. A twist on the 'Europe's on fire, USA is terrified' chant from last year's Ryder Cup victory at Bethpage Black emerged to celebrate Maguire, whose Solheim Cup winning percentage ranks among the competition's best.
Carlota Ciganda, the only European player with prior Solheim Cup experience to sit out the opening session, remained fully engaged despite not competing. The Spanish veteran wore her Solheim Cup beanie and demonstrated to the tournament's debutants how to savour every moment of the week. She danced to every song, linked arms with first-time players during 'It's Raining Men' and beamed throughout the Vengaboys track, never losing her infectious smile.
The positive energy rippled through the entire European contingent. Maja Stark and Linn Grant ran toward the crowd and swayed their hips to ABBA's 'Dancing Queen' as they prepared for their match. The crowd responded with a 'Maja Stark, doo-doo, doo-doo, doo-doo' chant set to the Baby Shark theme—an earworm perhaps nobody required but one that perfectly suited the Swedish player's name.
Dame Laura Davies, a 12-time Solheim Cup competitor, offered perspective on the crowd's significance.
These people absolutely make it for the players. Without these brilliant fans, it's just not the same.
Stark and Grant, buoyed by the roaring galleries, secured Team Europe's opening point of the competition. The morning session concluded with the teams tied at two points apiece, despite conditions deteriorating from early sunshine into persistent light rain.
The weather shift failed to diminish spectator enthusiasm, with substantial galleries continuing to line the fairways throughout the tight opening session. Maguire, following her victory, acknowledged the crowd's impact.
We had incredible support out here. They were really spurring us on, especially when that weather got bad and miserable. It was that extra little bit we needed to grind it out.
The afternoon session saw noise levels climb even higher. Former major champion Karen Stupples described the crowds as
insane, suggesting that if the quality of golf matched the atmosphere being generated off the course, the 20th edition of the Solheim Cup could rank among the most memorable in the competition's history.
Tournament format and schedule
The 2026 Solheim Cup runs through September 11-13 at Bernardus Golf in s'-Hertogenbosch, with the Netherlands hosting the event for the first time. The competition features 28 points total, with four foursomes and four fourball matches on Friday and Saturday, then 12 Sunday singles matches; the first team to 14.5 points wins.
Friday's schedule included morning foursomes at 07:40-08:16 and afternoon fourballs at 13:05-13:50, with Fan Village entertainment from 17:00-19:30. The opening session's tight result left both teams positioned for a competitive weekend battle.
What happens next
The competition continues through Saturday, September 12, before concluding with the final singles session on Sunday, September 13, beginning at 10:10 local time. The closing ceremony follows at 17:30 on Sky Sports+, with all three days available exclusively live on Sky Sports Golf.
