The USA’s late charge on day one of the 2019 Solheim Cup ensured Europe only hold a 4.5-3.5 lead heading into Saturday’s play. Europe, aiming to win the trophy for the first time since 2013, made a positive start to Friday’s morning foursomes after they took the opening session 2.5-1.5 to open up an early one-point advantage.
Defending champions the USA had the first point on the board, with Nelly and Jessica Korda, the first sisters to play in the same pairing for America at the Solheim Cup, thumping Caroline Masson and Jodi Ewart Shadoff 6&4 in match three.
Carlota Ciganda and rookie Bronte Law secured a half for Europe in the top match against Morgan Pressel and Marina Alex before Georgia Hall and Celine Boutier defeated Lexi Thompson and Brittany Altomare 2&1 to level the scores at 1.5 each.
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Charley Hull and Azahara Munoz won the last match in the first session, beating Megan Khang and Annie Park 2&1, to give Europe a slender 2.5-1.5 advantage. In the afternoon fourballs, the USA levelled the scores thanks to a record-equalling fourball victory from Ally McDonald, who was a late addition to the squad after Stacy Lewis’ injury, and Angel Yin, who beat Swedish duo Caroline Hedwall and Anna Nordqvist 7&5.
Rookie Anne van Dam and Suzann Pettersen put Europe back ahead by beating Lizette Salas and Danielle Kang 4&2, and it looked like the hosts were on course to building a strong lead.
The European pairings, Hull and Munoz plus Ciganda and Law, were both 1UP with just the 18th hole to play, but the USA combinations of Jessica Korda and Thompson and Nelly Korda and Altomare managed to halve their matches. After day one, Europe lead 4.5-3.5 and everything is set up for a fascinating Saturday at Gleneagles.
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