The opening Solheim Cup matches began in front of half-empty stands at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club on Friday morning, with transport issues preventing fans from reaching the golf course.
Esther Henseleit of the European team teed off in front of a few hundred fans. The organisers of the event had promised a record crowd for the biennial golf tournament.
Henseleit will be paired with Charley Hull as part of an alternate team shooting competition against the United States. Henseleit and Hull will face Allisen Corpuz and No. 1-ranked Nelly Korda.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Empty seats are seen in a grandstand on the first hole during a foursomes match of the Solheim Cup golf tournament at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, in Gainesville, Va. (AP Photo/Matt York)
The 100 or so fans who arrived in time for the opening on Friday morning were silent as the Europeans teed off and cheered 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 released a statement apologizing.
SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER TALKS ABOUT THE PERILS OF BEING A NEW FATHER DURING THE PGA TOUR SEASON
The sun rises over the 14th hole before the start of a foursomes match at the Solheim Cup golf tournament at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, in Gainesville, Va. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
“We acknowledge and apologize to all fans affected by the transportation issues from the parking lot to the golf course,” the statement said. “We have made significant changes to our transportation system to mitigate these issues going forward and are working to express our condolences to those affected.”
In the 20 minutes before the start of the matches, a small group of fans walked quickly towards the stands.
Former US captain Juli Inkster expressed her disappointment as she continued a match on the fourth hole.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Carlota Ciganda of Europe watches her putt on the first hole during a foursomes match at the Solheim Cup golf tournament at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, in Gainesville, Va. (AP Photo/Matt York)
“You have to get people to come here,” Inkster said.
Players frequently describe the opening tee shot at the Solheim Cup as more nerve-racking than anything else in women's golf, fueled in part by the fans who fill the stands hours in advance to cheer on the home team.
Europe is looking to take the Solheim Cup from the United States for a record fourth consecutive time.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital Sports coverage on Xand subscribe to The Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
