There was more than one thing on the minds of the Team USA members on Friday. Yes, their title defense is still in question. Yes, they are tied with Team Europe after day one, signing off 4-4. Yes, they will hope to even it out in the following two days. But even so, the team made the effort to honor the victims of the September 11 attacks in their own way.

Twenty-five years after the 9/11 attacks, Nelly Korda and her team members united to show their solidarity with the victims. In a post shared on X, the LPGA wrote, “Never forget. Today, @SolheimCupUSA remembers and honors those who lost their lives on 9/11 🇺🇸.” The account attached pictures of Korda in the post, and that’s where the fans noticed one sweet gesture.

Though the team isn’t the only one to do so, it stood out to the fans. But what was the gesture, you ask? In the opening session at the Solheim Cup, Korda attached a circular pin on the left side of her hat. Other members, including Yealimi Noh, Megan Khang, and Auston Kim, were also seen wearing it. The pin had a message.

The circular pin was covered in red, white, and blue colors. It was inscribed with “Never Forget — September 11, 2001 – September 11, 2026,” as you can see here. The 25, as you’d have guessed by now, symbolizes the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attack. That’s just one of the many items present at the course to show support for the country, but why does the pin stand out?

Well, specifically because the Americans are some 4,600 miles away from home, where they are trying to beat Team Europe to win their 12th Solheim Cup trophy. Everyone is pretty much hyped and honored to do so.

“Best way we remember to today is to carry ourselves the way we have — lots of pride, with our heads up. Let’s represent the United States and let’s remember those whose lives were lost,” Angela Stanford, the American captain, said, according to the Golf Channel.

The September 11 attacks (9/11) were four coordinated terrorist attacks carried out by al-Qaeda against the United States on September 11, 2001. Nearly 3,000 people lost their lives. But is the team on the right track to honor their country? Well, yes.

As for Friday’s opener, the morning foursomes session ended with Team USA and Team Europe level at 2–2. Apart from Korda and Allisen Corpuz, Alison Lee and Lauren Coughlin secured a 3-and-2 win. Korda and Corpuz made history when they became the first Solheim Cup partners to win five consecutive matches. They did so by beating Charley Hull and Lottie Woad, 4-and-3.

It’s a time when the members should come together for their country. It helps if they respect each other. Korda, for instance, said of Corpuz, “I enjoy playing with her so much. We have a lot of fun out there… She’s just such a solid player. It’s really good to look rely on her and it’s also fun.” But there was some pushback from Team Europe.

The team responded with victories from Esther Henseleit and Leona Maguire, who beat Andrea Lee and Lindy Duncan 2-up, and Maja Stark and Linn Grant, who defeated Rose Zhang and Jennifer Kupcho 3-and-2. In the afternoon session, both teams won two points each, bringing the Solheim Cup to a tie for now.

Things might change on day two, but that’s up to the pros in the Netherlands.

On the other hand, Team USA was hardly the only one to commemorate the day; other key sports teams also joined in.

Boston College and Rutgers also used their September 11 football matchup to commemorate the 25th anniversary. For Boston College, the game is part of its annual Red Bandanna Game, which honors alumnus Welles Crowther. He was a former Boston College lacrosse player who died while helping others escape the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

Boston College players wore uniforms featuring the red-bandanna theme and the words “For Welles.” Rutgers also paid tribute through a special uniform. The player helmets display the number 37, which represents the 37 Rutgers alumni who lost their lives on 9/11, while the uniforms show the phrase “NEVER FORGET.” 

Meanwhile, Golf Digest reported that golf apparel brand Rhoback partnered with the 9/11 Memorial & Museum’s Never Forget Fund on September 4. This partnership produced a commemorative clothing collection with designs honoring the New York City skyline, FDNY helmets, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, and the American flag. And they have a good cause, too.

All profits from the collection will go directly to the Never Forget Fund, which works to educate younger generations about 9/11 and preserve the stories of those affected. Rhoback CEO Kevin Hubbard has a personal connection to the tragedy, having grown up in Breezy Point, Queens, a community that lost many residents to the attack. 

Team USA’s effort was just one of many ways of giving back.