Americans get point, but still trail in Cup

Lexi Thompson of United States hits the ball during the fourballs on Day2 at the Solheim Cup golf tournament in St. Leon-Rot, southern Germany, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015.
Lexi Thompson of United States hits the ball during the fourballs on Day2 at the Solheim Cup golf tournament in St. Leon-Rot, southern Germany, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015.

ST. LEON-ROT, Germany -- Lexi Thompson and Cristie Kerr earned a point but the United States still trails Europe 8-5 in the Solheim Cup after the other fourball matches were suspended Saturday because of bad light.

The Americans defeated Spain's Carlota Ciganda and Azahara Munoz 3 and 2 to reduce the Europeans' lead after a good morning for the home team.

"We knew where we stood going into the afternoon. It didn't really change our mind-set," Thompson said. "We knew we made a good team with the matches that we've played together. We just went out and played aggressive."

The U.S. held a slight advantage in the three remaining fourball matches that will be resumed this morning at St. Leon-Rot Golf Club.

Rookie Alison Lee and Brittany Lincicome were 1 up after 15 holes against England's Charley Hull and Norway's Suzann Pettersen, who missed a birdie to match Lee on the last hole played before darkness intervened.

Stacy Lewis (Arkansas Razorbacks) rediscovered her form as she and Gerina Piller were 1 up over Germany's Caroline Masson and Sweden's Caroline Hedwall after 16 holes.

Catriona Matthew of Scotland gave the Europeans reason to cheer when she birdied the 15th hole to leave her and Karine Icher of France 1 up against Brittany Lang and Lizette Salas with three holes to play.

"At least we have a little bit of red on the board," U.S. captain Juli Inkster said. "I haven't seen much of that the last few days, but we need to finish. We need to buckle down and get those last two holes."

Earlier Saturday, Hull and Pettersen recovered from 4 down to win 1 up against Paula Creamer and Morgan Pressel as Europe took an 8-4 lead from the morning's foursome matches.

Creamer and Pressel were 4 up and comfortable after the 11th hole of their foursome match, but the Europeans birdied the next and finished with four consecutive birdies to give the home team all the momentum going into the afternoon's fourball matches.

"I was just buzzing," Hull said.

The 19-year-old from England swatted away an insect and almost holed an ace on the 15th, where Pettersen started the four-birdie run.

"I told Charley, 'Let's throw darts at the pins, stay aggressive,' " Pettersen said. "This one was a robbery."

Lewis and Piller provided the U.S. with its only full point from the morning thanks to a 5-and-4 victory over Swedish duo Nordqvist and Hedwall.

The event will end today with 12 singles matches after the suspended fourball matches are played.

Europe needs 14 points to win a third consecutive Solheim Cup for the first time. The U.S. needs 14½ to extend its series lead to 9-5.

Sports on 09/20/2015

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