Megan Khang goes from dancing in a cowboy hat to winning a big point for the US at the Solheim Cup

DEN BOSCH, Netherlands (AP) — Megan Khang was dancing on the first tee in a white, star-spangled cowboy hat as the Solheim Cup opened early Friday morning.

In the afternoon, the effervescent golfer from Massachusetts was more reserved as she raised her putter in celebration after she and Alison Lee overturned a 2-down deficit to seal a 5-and-3 victory over Europe duo Celine Boutier and Nanna Koerstz Madsen in the four-balls for the biggest win of Day 1.

It was another step toward a personal Solheim Cup record for Khang, stretching her unbeaten streak to nine matches — tied the second-longest in the tournament’s 36-year history with Cristie Kerr, Morgan Pressel, Lexi Thompson and Carin Koch. She has only Paula Creamer — with a 10-match unbeaten run — in front of her.

Khang was left out of the morning foursomes, leaving her free to be an enthusiastic cheerleader for the American team alongside her other benched teammates.

Paired with Lee, they provided a spark the U.S. needed in the afternoon as they won six of the last nine holes of their match — and five of the last six — to wrap up victory on No. 15.

Khang won three holes with birdies, but credited Lee for winning a key hole with an eagle on the par-5 10th.

“The back nine easily kicked off with her eagle. That was so cool to see,” Khang said. “It’s always nice seeing a big bird and it definitely took the lid off for us.”

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Lee is the only mom on the U.S. team, making her first Solheim appearance since her son, Levi, was born in April last year. She’s the first mom to play for the U.S. since Kerr in 2017.

Khang and Lee have a chemistry that can look a little tense at times, even to team leader Angela Stanford, but they say they’re both having fun.

“We always joke that we bicker like sisters. To a point where I think Angela even asked if we actually do like each other in the practice round,” Khang said. “But it’s really fun, I’ve known Alison for such a long time. She’s such a great partner. We never get too down on ourselves. It’s hard not to have a good time out there.”

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