THE MODERATOR: Thank you everyone for joining us ahead of the Solheim Cup. I will introduce the players on stage and then go to questions from the media in the room.
From left to right I would like to introduce Lauren Coughlin, Nelly Korda, Yealimi Noh, and Angel Yin, members of the 2026 U.S. team. We'll start with questions.
Q. Nelly, two years ago you said that was the most fun you've ever had on a golf course. I know that was the first time you've been part of a winning team. But why was it so much fun?
NELLY KORDA: I think it's the camaraderie that we have as a team, all of us coming together playing for something way bigger than just ourselves, playing for our country, playing for our captains, for our assistants, playing for each other. I think it's such an amazing experience.
This is my fifth Solheim Cup and it's definitely some of the most fun I've had on a golf course. Getting the win on home soil was absolutely amazing, but also getting to represent the country on its 250th anniversary abroad is also an amazing experience too.
Q. What do you think it takes to win overseas?
NELLY KORDA: I would say mental toughness, really relying on leaning on each other when something's not going our way. I mean, the crowd is definitely not going to be for us, but I think if we have each other's backs, that's what matters.
Q. Angel, how are you feeling?
ANGEL YIN: I'm feeling great. Thanks for asking.
Q. How is your game?
ANGEL YIN: I guess everybody has different opinions. I personally think it's not bad. Every day it's getting better. So, yeah, I guess it's like art, right? Everybody has a different opinion (laughing). But results just is the only thing that matters, right?
Q. So you feel like you're ready to go?
ANGEL YIN: I better be (laughing). It's a big deal. And, yeah, I think so. So I have my team that trusts me. I mean, they're all here -- I mean, some of 'em are here. The rest are out there. But they have been super supportive, assistant captains and the captains. So, you know, with a team like that, I think we can do anything, like trying to win this week.
Q. Did you come out a little early today?
ANGEL YIN: I did (laughing). Was it noticeable because I was in red? Red pants.
Yes, I did. I just wanted to play the front. Everybody was playing the back. I just need more practice repetition, especially since I've been away for a while. Angela understands and we set it all up, so it was great.
Q. Lauren, I know you were one of quite a few players that ended up going undefeated in the last Cup, played some great golf in your debut as a rookie. What do you expect will be different this week playing in the Netherlands versus not too far from your hometown?
LAUREN COUGHLIN: Yeah, I think we've kind of talked about it, touched on it already, like, the crowd not being quite on my side like it was last time. A little bit different golf course than what we played two years ago. But overall, it's been a lot of fun this week. Just really honored to get to represent my country again and looking forward to see what it's actually going to be like.
Q. I think the U.S. has had some older rookies, one of which was yourself a couple years ago, in the last few Cups. Do you think that's an advantage to have a little bit more of an experienced player maybe making their debut versus having a rookie or even somebody that's only been out on tour for two years playing the Cup?
LAUREN COUGHLIN: I'm a little biased since I was one of 'em, but I think it definitely didn't hurt me being super, I guess, seasoned, as you could say. But I think at the end of the day, if you're playing good golf, it kind of really doesn't matter.
Q. Yealimi, how excited are you to be back in this situation and what are you looking forward to most this week?
YEALIMI NOH: Yeah, it super exciting being back after missing a couple Solheims. I'm just happy to be back with an awesome team. I feel like my experience is only getting better each day and looking forward to get that win.
Q. How do you guys feel this course sets up for match play?
NELLY KORDA: It is a pretty tough golf course. I mean, we've kind of played it in all sorts of weather, especially today (laughing). It's very narrow off the tee, so you have to hit it really good off the tee. It is more of like a -- Jay and I said it reminds us of, like, a golf course in Australia, where there's a lot of penalizing bunkers. But it also has, like, a linksy feel to it.
But as I would say for match play, I don't know, we'll see. I would say it just depends on the weather because every single day we've just kind of dealt with something different. So one day -- I think the first tee on Monday it was, like, pretty gettable and you had shorter clubs in, and it was sunny and nice, and then the next day was super windy, so everything was kind of bouncing on the greens.
And then today it was like this. It was rainy, it was super windy, and all of a sudden 15 minutes later it was sunny and then rainy again. So I think it's just very weather-dependent.
Q. Are there any holes that will be really exciting for fans or will have a lot of potential drama?
LAUREN COUGHLIN: 8 is a reachable par-4 that could see a lot of good things. 2 is a reachable par-5 that for the longer hitters will be able to get to depending upon the wind direction and stuff. I think 15 and 16 are really good holes. 15's a par-3, and then 16, another reachable, but with a lot of risk depending on the wind and stuff.
Q. Nelly and Angel, why do you think it's been so tough for the U.S. to win over here?
NELLY KORDA: I mean, I don't necessarily know. I mean, in Spain, we were super close. I mean, we tied with Europe, so they retained the Cup.
Gleneagles, I feel like we played really well, but maybe we just haven't had anything kind of -- the momentum go while we're in Europe. I think that what Ang and the assistants have said this week is to really rely on each other and it's mental toughness. The crowd will definitely not be on our side. We will hear some USA chants, but I think, also, what we have to realize is that we have so many people at home supporting us and rooting for us. So I think when it gets tough, like, we all have to realize that we are here for each other and that we also have so many people out there supporting us.
ANGEL YIN: I guess courses are just different. They know that because they do play over in America a lot, most of the girls, and they know what courses we're used to. So when we come over, which we don't really come over to Europe much, the courses are just different.
But I think that as much as we don't close out the win, it's always coming down to the last putt, I mean, the iconic Suzann putt that made it to win the Cup back after we have at Gleneagles, and then obviously Spain. I mean, that was really, really tight as well. I mean, so tight that we were tied.
So I think that we always put up a really good fight even though we're unfamiliar with the situation and I think we're learning. And then, you know, Nelly and I have been here a couple times, so have a hang of it. And Angela, obviously, knows and she's been strategizing with assistant captains. So I think, you know, we're pretty confident going into this week.
Q. Angel, just to ask about your health and what you've been dealing with. Was there any point that you considered not playing this week?
ANGEL YIN: Yes. Yes, of course. I know it's crazy that I'm here because I played a week before in Boston. Scores, obviously, I'll just say it. 81, 76. It wasn't great. No. Was it 76? I don't know, maybe it was higher. Anyway, it was 80 and then 70-something. But it wasn't ideal. It's not a score you really bring out and you go, wow, that's the person that's going to be -- you know, helping America bring home the Cup.
I've been working hard, I've been trying everything I can, because this is the biggest event in women's golf and to be able to do it in this scale -- we know this is going to be a big deal because this is the 20th Solheim Cup.
And playing for Juli when I was 18 at Des Moines, it holds a huge place in my heart. You know, obviously, I wanted to be honest because I would never jeopardize America. So I had, like, honest talks with myself in the mirror and with my team, and obviously with Angela because she's the only other person, other than my family, that I've updated throughout all of this.
So, you know, I think that we are pretty -- we have a clear idea of what it is, and so, yeah, we all agreed on this. And she wanted me here. Because we asked her -- well, I didn't ask her. I had my caddie ask her, Do you want me here? And if she said no, I wouldn't be here. But she said yes.
So I think with belief like that and confidence from her to back me, why wouldn't I show up? The end (laughing).
Q. Hopefully not the end end because I do have a follow-up to that.
ANGEL YIN: Okay. Sorry. To be continued.
Q. With you being out there putting in that extra time trying to get your game in a place, do you feel like you're going to get there by Friday or are you still considering that you might not get there and maybe not want to go on Friday?
ANGEL YIN: So far what I see, I am getting there. Like, Yealimi and I, we played a match together with Megan and Alison, and I think we put up a pretty good fight. We won. We swept (laughing).
Anyway, I think that just playing with our friends and, like, playing with Yealimi, it's just -- it puts you at ease and -- it puts me at ease, a person at ease, and I think that really helps. And playing, let's just say, in any format, to know that your partner's got your back even if you don't hit a great shot, that's so much confidence than just being out there alone. So I think with that, it will boost my -- I guess my comeback, because it's been two months, much higher than just being alone on the golf course by myself.
Q. Angel, I might as well just come straight to you with another to be continued. We saw you --
ANGEL YIN: I have a trilogy now.
Q. Yeah, I know. I know. It was really lovely to see you out on the 1st this morning. Wondering, how much you think you can now contribute? Obviously, there are five potential sessions with how you can contribute. And can you give us some idea just how tough it's been for you these last few months?
ANGEL YIN: Did I give away that I lost a lot of weight? I feel like I've been getting more congratulations than anything else, and so I think my confidence is boosting soon. So watch out, everybody. Won't be going out in any crop top.
But yeah, I don't even know what your question is. Can you say it again?
Q. How many sessions do you think you could do? Obviously it's been really tough. Can you give us just some idea how tough it's been for you and how much you think you can physically contribute over the weekend?
ANGEL YIN: I think I can say it's not that tough for me. It's more tough for Angela and the assistant captains, and I guess the stats guy in the corner because doesn't have any stats on me for a while other than my 81.
But it's just -- it's a tough decision because you don't want to jeopardize the team. I can say and be confident as much as I want, but ultimately it's up to the captain because she needs to be responsible for the 11 of us. Well, more because, you know, there's a whole country behind her. But I guess it's just more tough for her and I just need to do my part.
And then I just need to wait for her call, and whatever she does and whatever she says will, in my opinion, be the best decision because we trust her, and she's been leading us great.
Q. Nelly, one of your colleagues earlier said that you bring the intimidation factor for Team USA. As far as a European point of view, you're the one with the target on their back. You are the world No. 1. They want to come after you. I just wonder, how much do you relish those two things, sort of the intimidation factor you bring and also having that target on your back?
NELLY KORDA: Honestly, I don't even think about that. I've said this so many times in my career. I kind of remain in my bubble and I'm a little bit oblivious to it all, but because I want to be, and I just want to make it really simple for myself, not to think about too much, and just to go out and play my game.
And what I love about this tournament is how much passion it brings from each side. It brings so much passion and it's fun to see from teammates, from the outside. Even when Europe becomes very passionate about what they're doing on the golf course, it elevates -- it wants -- I feel like we all want to elevate our game as well.
So as for a target, I don't really think about it. If they're intimidated, great (laughing). But for me, I just kind of go out and do my thing. I just hope that the U.S. team just brings a lot of passion.
Q. Lauren, does this golf course remind you of any golf course that you played -- maybe not necessarily even in a tournament, but just in your life? And then, is there a shot or two that you don't really find yourself hitting often that you're hitting this week so far?
LAUREN COUGHLIN: My husband and my caddie and I are talking a lot that it kind of reminds us of like South Carolina and North Carolina, kind of like the sand hills or like near Pinehursty kind of vibes. A lot more flat. But other than that I feel like that's what we have been kind of looking about or thinking about and about but I've been putting a lot from around the greens, on a lot of the dropoffs, that I wouldn't probably normally do. Landing stuff a lot short because it's pretty firm. But other than that I would say it's pretty just like, it's almost like playing over in Scotland, kind of similar.
Q. Have you had to change bounce in your wedges or anything?
LAUREN COUGHLIN: No I haven't this time. It's the not quite firm like it was in Scotland and at Lytham this year. But, yeah, everything's pretty stock from what I normally use.
Q. Nelly, you were talking about momentum earlier, is that something you think you can actively create or kind of control and if so how or any strategies you have for doing that and if not how are you going to deal with whatever comes with that?
NELLY KORDA: Yeah, you can create it. Sometimes it is out of your control, sometimes the bounces just don't go your way, that's golf. But you create it by, you know, the luck kind of being on your side and dropping the putts. That's just kind of just golf, you know. Sometimes it goes your way, sometimes it doesn't. But when you get a chance of like having a little bit of that momentum on your side, I think you just need to grab it really quickly, especially in match play.
Q. Yealimi, Paula described you as graceful and every too high or too low. How do you think that brings support to this team and how do you think that you've prepared for the week this week?
YEALIMI NOH: Yeah, I was very flattered to hear that by Paula. I was like, Oh, thanks, I'll try to stay like that. Match play, like Nelly said, brings a lot of passion and just excited to feel that extra energy that we all feel when playing a Solheim Cup. And just super excited to be here again with the team. I feel like my first Solheim Cup I was a rookie, so I was a bit nervous and a little just unprepared of what was to come. So I feel really excited and ready for what this week will bring.
THE MODERATOR: Perfect, thank you all and best of luck this week.
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