The word in the U.S. team room last night: Now we know why Allisen Corpuz won the U.S. Women’s Open.
Clutch putts down the stretch from the former USC standout has her undefeated so far in her Solheim Cup debut, with a 2-0-1 record.
U.S. captain Stacy Lewis might have delivered a pairing that will be a force for years to come in the Solheim as Corpuz and Nelly Korda are now 2-0 in foursomes play, taking down a once formidable European pairing of Celine Boutier and Georgia Hall, 5 and 3, on Saturday morning. The pair defeated two of Europe’s best in Leona Maguire and Anna Nordqvist on Friday.
“I think Nelly is really calm,” said Corpuz, “which is kind of what I need. I play pretty low energy. Obviously she has the experience as well. So just knowing that having someone like her by my side has helped me a lot to get comfortable.”
Korda, who now has an overall record of 7-2-1 in the Solheim, partnered with older sister Jessica in her first two Solheims. But with a now pregnant Jessica out with a back injury, Nelly was in need of a new foursomes partner and Corpuz stepped in to make it seamless. Nelly said she and Corpuz bonded well on the golf course.
“She may be a rookie,” said Nelly on Friday, “but I think she came in really clutch today, and she doesn’t show that at all. “
Corpuz secured half a point with Jennifer Kupcho on Friday but will sit Saturday afternoon as Korda goes out in the fourball session with fellow veteran Ally Ewing. Two years ago at Inverness, Ewing and Korda won a fourball match together on the opening day.
In July, Corpuz topped the field by three to win at historic Pebble Beach and took home $3 million. There’s no money on the line this week in Spain, but the atmosphere is unlike anything the 25-year-old has ever experienced.
“Everyone said the first tee was going to be nuts,” she said, “and then I walked out there and it was somehow even crazier than I expected.”
