Nelly Korda blunt Solheim Cup message to Europe: ‘If they’re intimidated, great!’

Nelly Korda knows the United States will need more than the world's No.1 player if they are to retain the Solheim Cup in the Netherlands this week.

Korda is undoubtedly the star attraction at Bernardus Golf as the defending champions attempt to win the contest on European soil for the first time since 2015.

The 28-year-old arrives in the Netherlands having won two majors and four LPGA events in total this season, although her form has dipped slightly in recent months.

Europe will know that keeping Korda quiet could be key to their hopes of reclaiming the trophy.

Yet the World No.1 insists she is not putting any personal targets on herself this week, instead focusing on doing what she does best and helping her team-mates bring the passion required to succeed in a hostile environment.

"As for a target, I don't really think about it," said Korda.

"If they're intimidated, great! But for me, I just go out and do my thing. I just hope that the United States team just brings a lot of passion."

It is a typically confident response from Korda, who will be playing in her fifth Solheim Cup and knows exactly what awaits the Americans.

The US are defending champions after beating Europe 15.5-12.5 at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia in 2024.

However, that victory came on home soil.

The Americans have not won the Solheim Cup away from home since their narrow one-point victory in Germany in 2015.

That leaves the US facing another significant challenge this week, with Bernardus Golf hosting the first Solheim Cup in the Netherlands.

As well as dealing with an unfamiliar course, the Americans will have to contend with potentially unpredictable weather and a partisan European crowd.

Korda believes mental toughness and team unity will be essential.

"I would ​say mental toughness, really relying on leaning on each other when something's not going our way," Korda said when asked on Wednesday what it will take for the Americans ⁠to win overseas. 

"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."

Korda's importance to the American team is difficult to overstate.

She has 19 career LPGA Tour victories, more than the combined 15 for her team-mates this week.

Korda's Solheim Cup record also stands at an impressive 10-5-1, including a 5-2-1 record on foreign soil.

The United States, however, are only 1-3 in the four Solheim Cups Korda has previously played.

US captain Angela Stanford knows having the World No.1 in her team is a major advantage.

"It's nice to have her in the room," U.S. captain Angela Stanford said. "That's probably the understatement of the year."

There are still question marks surrounding the American team, with Angel Yin dealing with stomach issues and Rose Zhang managing a back problem ahead of Friday's opening matches.

Korda, meanwhile, believes the unique nature of the Solheim Cup makes it one of the most enjoyable experiences in golf.

The event is also taking place during America's 250th anniversary year, adding another layer of significance for the US team.

"It's definitely some of the most fun I've had ​on a golf course," she ​said. "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."

For the United States, the task is straightforward.

They have the world's best player, the defending champions tag and a Solheim Cup star who has already shown she can perform on foreign soil.

But history is against them.

Korda may not have set herself a personal target, but if the Americans are to end their 11-year wait for an away Solheim Cup victory, they will need their No.1 player to deliver when it matters most.