The opening matches of the Solheim Cup began in front of half-empty grand stands at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club on Friday morning, with transportation issues preventing fans from getting to the golf course.
Team Europe’s Esther Henseleit hit the opening tee shot in front of a few hundred fans. The event’s organizers had promised that there would be record crowds for the biennial golf tournament.
Henseleit is paired with Charley Hull as part of an alternate shot team competition against the United States. Henseleit and Hull are taking on Allisen Corpuz and top-ranked Nelly Korda.
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Empty seats on a grandstand are seen on the first hole during a Solheim Cup golf tournament foursomes match at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, in Gainesville, VA. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Those hundred fans who made it in time for Friday morning’s opening remained quiet for the European tee shots and cheered throughout as the Americans hit theirs.
Fans posted on social media that they had been stuck for hours waiting in lines for buses at Jiffy Lube Live, a concert venue near the golf course about 40 miles west of Washington, D.C.
The LPGA posted a statement apologizing.
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The sun rises over the 14th hold before the start of a Solheim Cup golf tournament foursomes match at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, in Gainesville, Va. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
“We recognize and deeply apologize to all fans affected by the challenges with shuttling from parking to the golf course,” the statement said. “We’ve made significant changes to our transportation system to mitigate these issues moving forward, and we’re working on ways to express our regret to those impacted.”
In the 20 minutes before the matches began, a small trickle of fans speed-walked toward the grandstand.
Former U.S. captain Juli Inkster expressed her disappointment as she followed a match on the fourth hole.
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Europes Carlota Ciganda watches her putt on the first hole during a Solheim Cup golf tournament foursomes match at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, in Gainesville, VA. (AP Photo/Matt York)
“You’ve got to get the people here,” Inkster said.
Players frequently describe the opening tee shot at the Solheim Cup as more nerve-wracking than anything in women’s golf, fueled partly by fans who fill grandstands hours in advance to cheer the home team.
Europe is seeking to capture the Solheim Cup over the United States for a record fourth straight time.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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