Norway‘s Suzann Pettersen was the star of the show as Europe finished day one of the Solheim Cup with a 5-3 lead over the USA.
Having won her morning foursomes match with Beatriz Recari at the Colorado Golf Club, Pettersen teamed up with Carlota Ciganda in the afternoon fourballs to secure a crucial victory over Stacy Lewis and Lexi Thompson.
Pettersen carried the team for much of the round as Ciganda struggled and the USA surged into a two-up lead when they won three holes in a row from the seventh, as youngster Thompson’s putter warmed up.
But Europe won the 10th and 13th before Ciganda secured a crucial half at 15, where she made par after finding the hazard to the right of the green and a near 30-minute delay while it was determined where she could drop the ball.
Pettersen then took charge again, birdieing 16 to put Europe one-up and then making a short par putt at the last to secure the one-up victory.
“A great start,” said Pettersen. “I think it has worked out pretty well. It is just an amazing feeling.”
�e,�� h�� 12th-seeded Italian Roberta Vinci 6-0 6-4, while Belarussian Azarenka overcame 10th seed Caroline Wozniacki 6-3 7-6 (7/5).
