Things went so-so for the U.S. women early on day one at the Solheim Cup but things started falling apart in the afternoon.
The U.S. managed a 2-2 split in the morning foursomes (alternate shot) matches at the St. Leon-Rot Golf Club in Germany but in the afternoon, things swung big-time in favor of Europe in the four-ball (best ball) matches.
After a one-hour rain delay, the U.S. trailed 4-2 with two matches still on the course when play was suspended due to darkness. Anna Nordqvist and Carolina Hedwall made easy work of Morgan Pressel and Paula Creamer, winning 4-and-3.
Charley Hull and Gwladys Nocera took down Alison Lee and Angela Stanford, 3-and-2 to give Europe a 4-2 lead. Lee, who had been suffering from a stomach ailment, rested in the morning but she and Stanford had no answer for their European counterparts.
In the remaining matches, the U.S. trails in one and is all square in the other. If things finish that way when play resumes early Saturday morning, Europe will hold a 5 1/2 – 2 1/2 lead after the first day.
Melissa Reid and Carlota Cigunda are all square with Cristie Kerr and Lexi Thompson with one hole to play while the German duo of Sandra Gal and Caroline Masson are one-up on Americans Gerina Piller and Brittany Lang.
Gal and Masson were getting huge support from the home-country crowd. “It was more than I expected,” said Gal. “It was just electrifying.”
