Europe maintain Solheim lead in Sweden

Norway's Suzann Pettersen was the top performer as Europe led the U.S

Norway's Suzann Pettersen was the top performer as Europe led the U.S. 9 1/2 to 6 1/2 after a thrilling second day at the Solheim Cup women's team event.

In the final match of the fourballs, 22-year-old Pettersen raised her tally to four wins out of four when she holed a 10-foot birdie putt at the 18th to join world No.1 Annika Sorenstam in a one hole win over Laura Diaz and Kelly Robbins.

Moments earlier, Diaz missed her birdie chance from six feet.

Europe need five points from Sunday's 12 singles to win the Cup for the third time in eight attempts.

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"That was just an incredible match," said Sorenstam. "We all made lots of birdies and there was lots of great golf. It feels great when we win."

Last year, Pettersen gained some notoriety when she used an obscenity during a live interview on American TV. This time she has irritated the U.S. players with some outstanding golf.

In the morning foursomes, she joined Sophie Gustafson in a 3 & 1 win over Kelli Kuehne and Cristie Kerr. She and Sorenstam then packed eight birdies into the afternoon thriller.

Sweden's Sorenstam made five of the birdies, including one from 20 feet for a key half at the 17th, where Diaz nearly holed her second shot.

Scots pair Catriona Matthew and Janice Moodie, controversial omissions from last year's team, were among the list of heroines as they maintained an unbeaten run.

They snatched half a point from the morning foursomes against Meg Mallon and Kelly Robbins and then clinched a full point with a 4 & 3 triumph over Wendy Ward and Rosie Jones.

But Mhairi McKay and Spanish rookie Ana Belen Sanchez lost at the top of the order. Having sat out the first three series, the pair crashed 5 & 4 to Juli Inkster and Beth Daniel.

The Americans also claimed the second tie after a great fightback from Kerr and Kuehne. Never ahead until that point, Kerr birdied the 16th and Keuhne did likewise at the 17th to wrap up the match 2 & 1 over Gustafson and Briton Laura Davies.