Fans wait for buses to the race track at the start of the Solheim Cup – NBC4 Washington

The opening matches of the Solheim Cup began on Friday morning in front of half-empty stands around the first tee at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club as transportation problems prevented fans from getting to the golf course.

Fans posted on social media that they were stuck for hours in lines for buses at Jiffy Lube Live, a concert venue near the golf course about 40 miles west of Washington, D.C., prompting the LPGA Tour to apologize.

“We recognize the difficulties associated with commuting from the parking lot to the golf course and deeply apologize to all fans,” the statement said. “We have made significant changes to our transportation system to mitigate these issues in the future and we are working on ways to express our regrets to those affected.”

Spectators also reported that the portable toilets in the parking lot were locked while waiting for the buses, making an already frustrating situation unbearable.

In the twenty minutes before the start of the game, a small number of fans rushed to the stands, but there was no sign of the record crowd that the organizers had promised.

“It's disappointing. It is what it is. You play in these things for years and then things happen,” said US captain Stacy Lewis. “Unfortunately, it was a big deal.”

Esther Henseleit hit the first tee shot for Europe in the team competition against the USA as part of an alternate shot pair with Charley Hull. Allisen Corpuz followed for the USA, paired with top-ranked Nelly Korda.

Europe is seeking a record fourth consecutive Solheim Cup win. The Americans led 3-1 after morning play, and the stands were packed as Korda and Megan Khang were greeted by former President Barack Obama before their afternoon Better Ball match.

Players often describe the first tee shot at the Solheim Cup as more nerve-wracking than anything else in women's golf, in part because fans fill the stands hours beforehand to cheer on the home team. But with fewer spectators, the home advantage was muted.

“You have to get people here,” said former U.S. captain Juli Inkster as she watched play on the fourth hole.

The few hundred fans who made it in time for the opening on Friday morning remained quiet as the Europeans teed off and cheered the Americans as they hit their balls – a departure from golf etiquette that players have come to appreciate in team competitions.

___

AP Golf: