There have always been signs of Ian Poulter’s eccentricity in the make-up of Charley Hull. In the Solheim Cup, Hull established herself on the podium Poulter relished for so long in the Ryder Cup as the player the United States must target when looking to overhaul a European team.
If Hull did not have a bullseye on her back before, she has now. You get the distinct impression she will relish that status. Hull’s fondness for the Solheim Cup was apparent in 2013, when she played a key part in Europe’s comprehensive victory in Colorado. Included in that showing was a 5&4 singles dismissal of Paula Creamer, which provided an illustration of Hull’s disregard for reputation. Two years on, she is still only 19.
The danger here near Heidelberg in south-west Germany was of second Solheim syndrome. Instead, Hull formed a winning foursomes partnership with Melissa Reid in session one, before joining Gwladys Nocera for a fourball dismissal of Alison Lee and Angela Stanford. The latter draw was at least favourable; Lee has been suffering from food poisoning all week while Stanford has now lost eight Solheim Cup matches in succession.
Still, Hull’s touch was exemplary. The impudence of youth is matched with precocious talent. She holed putt after putt, including from off the 17th green to seal the morning victory. Go forward to just after 7pm and Hull was at it again. From green-side at the 16th, Hull converted for a point. Nocera was almost an onlooker amid her partner’s run of seven birdies in 10 holes and five in five.
Not even an afternoon delay of an hour – on account of storms that failed to materialise – could halt the Hull charge. Like Poulter, she has an infectious energy, which translates so smoothly to a team environment. “Something happens to me when I play in this competition,” Hull said. “I putt well in the pressure of the Solheim Cup. I am feeling confident.”
At the end of day one, the home team was the one with an advantage, by four points to two. The last act was the best, Carlota Ciganda spectacularly holing out from the middle of the 17th fairway to square a match against Cristie Kerr and Lexi Thompson. Because of fading light, they will return early on Saturday morning to complete that tie from the 18th tee.
Another game, Sandra Gal and Caroline Masson against Gerina Piller and Brittany Lang, will resume with the Europeans one up through 15. For now, the Solheim Cup holders are in an enviable position.
Four points had been shared in the foursomes. Creamer and Morgan Pressel drew first blood for the United States with a 3&2 win over Anna Nordqvist and a strangely off-colour Suzann Pettersen. Hull and Reid levelled matters against Michelle Wie – who endured all manner of problems on the greens – and Brittany Lincicome.
“I’m not intimidated by the American team,” Reid said. “I played in the Solheim before, I have played with them a million times. Obviously they are great players, but luckily we did play well. It was good, it was nice to get that first point on the board.”
Gal and Catriona Matthew earned a 3&2 victory in the final foursomes. Earlier, Kerr and Thompson dispatched Karine Icher and Azahara Muñoz, 2&1. The second session was notable for the first wave of European momentum. Nordqvist and Caroline Hedwall cantered to a 4&3 success over Creamer and Pressel. During that match, the Americans won only one hole.
Hull and Nocera never appeared in danger, a situation that justified the decision by Europe’s captain, Carin Koch, to split up the English players. The afternoon resting of Pettersen also proved to be the right call despite raised eyebrows. Koch, to her credit, was clearly keen to hand every one of her team on-course experience at the earliest opportunity. Koch’s opposite number, Juli Inkster, did likewise by involving all 12 of her contingent.
This day, though, belonged to one player. More of the same from Hull would go a long way to ensuring three in a row for Europe.
