Europe continue to dominate at the Solheim Cup at St-Leon-Rot Golf Club in Germany, winning this morning’s foursomes 3-1 and extending their lead to 8-4.


 Europe continue to dominate at the Solheim Cup at St-Leon-Rot Golf Club in Germany, winning this morning’s foursomes 3-1 and extending their lead to 8-4. On a rainy morning, the European team came out firing on all cylinders, lead by a sparkling performance from the opening pairing of Carlota Ciganda and Melissa Reid.

The duo got off to a flying start with two birdies in the first three holes and never looked back against the American rookie Alison Lee and Michelle Wie. Birthday girl Reid, who has been compared to Ian Poulter for her ability to raise her game for the transatlantic match up, was full of praise for her Spanish partner who was in sensational form.

‘She’s a great girl. She hits it a mile. I don’t have any stress with Carlota. If I hit off her, I have absolute faith in her. She’s just a –she’s a Spaniard, a Sergio, a Seve, an incredible player.'

Arguably however the match of the morning belonged to Suzann Petterson and Charley Hull who came from four down against Paula Creamer and Morgan Pressel to clinch victory with birdie on the last. The match look all but lost on the 11th as the pair, who looked dazzled by Pressel’s sparkling golf, fell four behind. Nonetheless the European duo proved their class with five birdies in the last seven holes to clinch victory from the jaws of defeat and ensure that Europe go into this afternoon’s play with a four point cushion. Petterson who described the victory as one of her career’s greatest once again expressed her delight in the English teenager.

‘Charley, gosh, you’ve just got to tell her to hit it right at the pin. She’s awesome. It’s fantastic to play with her.’

In the other two matches Sandra Gal and Catriona Matthew made a nerve wracking up and down in front of a huge home crowd to claim victory on the last, whilst the Scandinavian duo of Anna Nordqvist and Caroline Hedwall suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of world number three Stacy Lewis and Gerina Piller.

This afternoon will see the resumption of the fourball fomat, with Europe hoping to extend their lead further going into tomorrow's final day singles.

 

Women & Golf's Becky Gee on the Course

 

Image: Getty Images