• Europe win morning foursomes 3-1
• Holders have never won on US soil
World number three Suzann Pettersen, Europe's highest ranked player, won both her matches to put Europe 5-3 up at the end of the first day of the Solheim Cup.
European captain Liselotte Neumann's "Vikings" set the tone of the day when they defeated Stacy Lewis and Lizette Salas in the opening match. "This competition never gets old," said Pettersen, who is competing in her seventh Solheim Cup. "It just brings out the best of you."
Wins by Anna Nordqvist and Caroline Hedwall, Suzann Pettersen and Beatriz Recari and Azahara Munoz and Karine Iche gave Europe an unexpectedly emphatic 3-1 lead after the foursomes. Europe currently hold the trophy but have never previously won it on American soil and their inexperienced team were not expected to set the pace.
Things got worse for American world number three Stacy Lewis in the fourballs when she became involved in the defining controversy of the afternoon, complaining about the length of time officials and the Spanish player Carlota Ciganda took to determine a drop shot. Ciganda and her partner Pettersen eventually beat Lewis and Lexi Thompson on the 18th hole. Lewis, playing in her first competitive game since winning the British Open, struggled to cope with the slick greens and hit the ball erratically all day.
All three of the British contingent were in action for Europe. Charley Hull and Catriona Matthew lost their fourballs match against Cristie Kerr and Michelle Wie. Earlier in the morning, Catriona Matthew and Jodi Ewart Shadoff lost their foursomes match against Morgan Pressel and Jessica Korda.
Before they teed off Friday, the Europeans watched a video that included words of encouragement from Ian Poulter, Jose Maria Olazabal and other members of the European Ryder Cup team. Reported by guardian.co.uk 1 day ago.
• Holders have never won on US soil
World number three Suzann Pettersen, Europe's highest ranked player, won both her matches to put Europe 5-3 up at the end of the first day of the Solheim Cup.
European captain Liselotte Neumann's "Vikings" set the tone of the day when they defeated Stacy Lewis and Lizette Salas in the opening match. "This competition never gets old," said Pettersen, who is competing in her seventh Solheim Cup. "It just brings out the best of you."
Wins by Anna Nordqvist and Caroline Hedwall, Suzann Pettersen and Beatriz Recari and Azahara Munoz and Karine Iche gave Europe an unexpectedly emphatic 3-1 lead after the foursomes. Europe currently hold the trophy but have never previously won it on American soil and their inexperienced team were not expected to set the pace.
Things got worse for American world number three Stacy Lewis in the fourballs when she became involved in the defining controversy of the afternoon, complaining about the length of time officials and the Spanish player Carlota Ciganda took to determine a drop shot. Ciganda and her partner Pettersen eventually beat Lewis and Lexi Thompson on the 18th hole. Lewis, playing in her first competitive game since winning the British Open, struggled to cope with the slick greens and hit the ball erratically all day.
All three of the British contingent were in action for Europe. Charley Hull and Catriona Matthew lost their fourballs match against Cristie Kerr and Michelle Wie. Earlier in the morning, Catriona Matthew and Jodi Ewart Shadoff lost their foursomes match against Morgan Pressel and Jessica Korda.
Before they teed off Friday, the Europeans watched a video that included words of encouragement from Ian Poulter, Jose Maria Olazabal and other members of the European Ryder Cup team. Reported by guardian.co.uk 1 day ago.