Europe leads U.S. by a point at Solheim

From the Golf Channel

DUNSANY, Ireland – Europe survived a spirited fightback by the United States in the fourballs to lead, 4 1/2 - 3 1/2, after the opening day of the Solheim Cup at Killeen Castle.

With the sides level 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 were up in the other three matches at that stage but Morgan Pressel and Paula Creamer came back from 1 down with two to play to beat Europe’s Laura Davies and Melissa Reid by one hole with Pressel holing a 25-foot birdie putt on the 18th for the win.

Catriona Matthew and Sandra Gal were 2 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 level before the 18th was shared at par.

Europe held on to win the fourball session, 2 1/2 -1 1/2, when Suzann Pettersen and Anna Nordqvist, who where three up at the turn, won the 18th to beat Cristie Kerr and Michelle Wie by two holes.