Europe forced to dig deep as United States retain Solheim Cup control

The US are 8-4 ahead ahead of the fourth session after maintaining their lead this morning

Europe continue to face an uphill battle to lift the Solheim Cup for a record fourth time in succession after the second day’s foursomes finished 2-2.

Suzann Pettersen’s side threatened to halve their overnight deficit when they led in three of the four matches for much of the morning session, but in the end were grateful to remain four points behind at 8-4.

Cheered on by former US president Barack Obama, who is a member at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, the home side had established a 6-2 overnight advantage, the largest first-day lead in the competition’s history.

A 4&3 win for Lexi Thompson and Lauren Coughlin over Maja Stark and Georgia Hall on Saturday briefly extended the lead before Anna Nordqvist and Celine Boutier defeated Lilia Vu and Sarah Schmelzel by the same margin.

World number one Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz then claimed their fourth foursomes win in succession by closing out Emily Pedersen and Carlota Ciganda on the 18th, the European pair having led by two holes at the turn.