DUNSANY, Ireland (AP) ― The United States staged a dramatic rally to win the afternoon fourball session 3-1 Saturday and tie Europe 8-all at the Solheim Cup.
The Americans rallied to win the last three matches, leaving the sides tied heading into the 12 singles matches on Sunday. The U.S. is trying to win its fourth consecutive Solheim Cup.
Europe won the morning foursomes to extend its lead to 7-5 over the Americans in the biennial match play competition.
Veteran Laura Davies became the all-time Solheim Cup points scorer at 24 1/2 when she teamed up with Melissa Reid to beat Americans Brittany Lang and Michelle Wie 4 and 3 and put Europe ahead 8-5 at Killeen Castle.
In 2005 and 2009 when the matches were tied going into the final day, the U.S. won the singles to lift the trophy. The U.S. needs 14 points to retain the Solheim Cup, while Europe needs 14 1/2 points to win for the first time since 2003.
“I thought we played with a lot of heart yesterday, but coming back and tying up the matches today was just really huge,” U.S. captain Rosie Jones said.
U.S. rookie Stacy Lewis earned her first point when she teamed up with the fellow first-timer Ryann O’Toole to beat Sandra Gal and Christel Boeljon 2 and 1. O’Toole was regarded as a wildcard but proved herself by registering two and a half points.
“I feel very calm and confident,” O’Toole said.
Morgan Pressel and Cristie Kerr reduced the lead to 8-7 when they beat Europe’s top player Suzann Pettersen and impressive rookie Caroline Hedwall by one hole.
Pettersen holed a 40-foot birdie putt at the 16th to square the match, but Pressel sank a winning birdie at the next and the held on for the win at the last hole.
Paula Creamer and Brittany Lincicome completed the U.S. comeback when they rallied from one down at the turn to defeat Maria Hjorth and Azahara Munoz 3 and 1.
Austrian Open
ATZENBRUGG, Austria (AP) ― Thomas Norret shot a 2-under 70 Saturday to take a two-stroke lead into the final day of the Austrian Open.
The 37-year-old Dane, who is yet to win a European Tour event, is ranked 173rd and needs a strong finish to the season to retain his card. Norret ended the third round with an overall 9-under 207.
Kenneth Ferrie had the best round of the day with a 67, sharing second place with fellow Englishmen Simon Wakefield and Robert Coles along with Joost Luiten of the Netherlands at 7 under.
Norret birdied the first hole but dropped a shot at the par-4 eighth before three more birdies on his back nine.
