USA takes control entering Day 3
Americans hold five-point advantage after solid afternoon against Europe
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Two years ago, the United States staged the biggest singles comeback in SolheimCup history.
Only the biggest letdown the event has ever seen will keep the Americans from retainingthe cup.
The United States took a 10½- 5½ lead against Europe Saturday at Des Moines Golf and Country Club, matching its biggest advantage entering the final day.
The Americans took three of the four afternoon fourball matches after splitting the morning foursomes. The biennial event concludes Sunday with 12 singles matches.
The U.S. squad also led, 10½-5½, in 1998 and won by four points.
“We’re confident. So we just want to keep it going,” AmericanAustin Ernst said.
Cristie Kerr set a record for career points by an American with 20, teaming with Lexi Thompson to win both of her matches. U.S. captain Juli Inkster held the previous markwith 18½.
Kerr and Thompson beat Jodi Ewart Shadoff and Caroline Masson, 5 and 3, in the morning, and topped Georgia Hall and Catriona Matthew, 4 and2, in the afternoon.
In the other U.S. afternoon victories, Brittany Lincicome and Brittany Lang beat Carlota Ciganda and Mel Reid, 2 up, and Ernst and Paula Creamer edged Karine Icher and Madalene Sagstrom, 2 and 1. Shadoff and Anna Nordqvist beat Lizette Salas and Angel Yin, 4 and 2, forEurope’s lone point.
Creamer and Ernst also won in the morning, topping Reid and Emily Pedersen, 5 and 3. Europe took the other foursomes, with Nordqvist and Hall beating Stacy Lewis and Gerina Piller 2 and 1, and Matthew and Karine Icher defeated Michelle Wie and DanielleKang 2 and 1.
“I’m ecstatic,” Inkster said. “I think anytime we can split in foursomes that’s a winfor us.”
Lincicome started her round with six birdies in a row — and Lang made eagle on No. 7 by holing out from about 100 yards. The Europeans were within a hole of tying the match for much of the back nine, but Lang put her approach on the 18th hole withininches.
“It just seemed like the hole was the size of Texas. It made it easier,” Lincicome said.
Creamer and Ernst never trailed in winning their secondmatchup of the day.
Kerr holed out from a sand trap on No. 15 for an eagle that essentially sealed the match — though Matthew missed a long putt that would’ve extended it by less thana foot.
“Lexi had to make some great putts on top of that and I had to make some great putts on top of that,” Kerr said. “We really ham and egged out there. I think that’s why we make such a good team,”
No team has ever rallied from more than four points down to win at either the Solheim Cup or the men’s Ryder Cup.