EUROPE OVERCAME A spirited rally by the United States in the fourballs to lead 4½-3½ Friday after the opening day of the Solheim Cup at Killeen Castle.
With the sides even at 2-2 following the morning foursomes, rookie Caroline Hedwall and fellow Swede Sophie Gustafson put Europe 3-2 ahead with a 5 and 4 win over Vicky Hurst and Brittany Lincicome.
Europe was up in the other three matches at that stage but Morgan Pressel and Paula Creamer came back from one down with two to play to beat Europe’s Laura Davies and Melissa Reid by one hole. Pressel made a 25-foot birdie putt on the 18th for the win.
Catriona Matthew and Sandra Gal were two up with three to play against Christina Kim and Ryann O’Toole. But the Americans salvaged a halved match when Kim birdied the 16th and O’Toole birdied the 17th to tie before the 18th was shared at par.
Europe held on to win the fourball session 2½-1½ when Suzann Pettersen and Anna Nordqvist, who where three up at the turn, captured the 18th to beat Cristie Kerr and Michelle Wie by two holes.
