Golf:Europe's women snatched a 4 1/2-3 1/2 lead over United States after a dramatic opening day in the Solheim Cup at Killeen Castle on Friday.
The morning foursomes were shared 2-2 but the home side had the advantage in the afternoon fourballs, winning them 2 1/2-1 1/2 after being up in all four matches at one point.
Suzann Pettersen and Sophie Gustafson both picked up two points for Europe while Paula Creamer shone for the visitors.
“I just love the Solheim and it was great to come away with two points after two close matches,” the 25-year-old Creamer told reporters.
The American teamed up with Brittany Lincicome to defeat Karen Stupples and Melissa Reid one up in the morning after winning the last two holes.
Creamer then combined with Morgan Pressel to overcome Reid and Laura Davies by the same margin after again taking the final two holes, Pressel sinking an 18-foot birdie putt at the last.
It means Davies, who has played in all 12 Solheim Cups, must wait to record the half-point she needs to overtake Swede Annika Sorenstam as the all-time leading scorer in the event.
World number two Pettersen rolled in a birdie putt on the final green to win her foursomes with Gustafson and then joined Anna Nordqvist in a stunning two-hole win over US pair Cristie Kerr and Michelle Wie.
Kerr is the world number three while Wie was unbeaten as a teenage rookie in the 16-12 victory in Illinois two years ago.
In the afternoon fourballs Gustafson was sent out to “mother” 22-year-old newcomer Caroline Hedwall and the two Swedes scored a crushing 5&4 win over Lincicome and Vicky Hurst.
“I had so much fun out there and Sophie was great to play with,” said Hedwall. “I loved every moment.”
Catriona Matthew, the 2009 British Open champion, was handed the task of guiding two rookies and did so with aplomb, winning her foursomes with Spain’s Azahara Munoz and adding a half-point in the fourballs with German Sandra Gal.
The afternoon match against Christina Kim and rookie Ryann O’Toole reflected the swinging change in fortunes. Two down after five holes, Matthew then birdied five in a row.
The Europeans were two up with three to play but then the US duo hit form, Kim holing a monster putt for a two at the short 16th and O'Toole making a 25-foot putt at the 17th.
Despite overcast and cold conditions, close on 17,000 turned up at the Meath venue for the opening day as Europe bid to end a losing streak in the competition that stretches back three events.
Foursomes results
Maria Hjorth and Anna Nordqvist lost toMichelle Wie and Cristie Kerr (2 and 1)
Karen Stupples and Melissa Reid lost toPaula Creamer and Brittany Lincicome (1 up)
Catriona Matthew and Azahara Munoz beatStacy Lewis and Angela Stanford (3 and 2)
Suzann Pettersen and Sophie Gustafson beatBrittany Lang and Juli Inkster (1 hole)
Fourballs draw
Melissa Reid and Laura Davies lost toPaula Creamer and Morgan Pressel (1 up)
Catriona Matthew and Sandra Gal halved withChristina Kim and Ryan O'Toole
Sophie Gustafson and Caroline Hedwall beatBrittany Lincicome and Vicky Hurst (5 and 4)
Suzann Pettersen and Anna Nordqvist beatMichelle Wie and Cristie Kerr (2 up)
Overall score:Europe 4 1/2 USA 3 1/2
Saturday’s foursomes draw (Europe first)
7.40am:Caroline Hedwall and Sophie Gustafson v Angela Stanford and Stacey Lewis
7.52:Karen Stupples and Christel Boeljon v Morgan Pressel and Ryann O'Toole
8.04:Maria Hjorth and Anna Nordqvist v Brittany Lang and Julie Inkster
8.12:Catriona Matthew and Azahara Nunoz v Christie Kerr and Paula Creamer
