(Edina, Minnesota, September 20 2002) Europe take a 3-1 lead heading into the afternoon fourball matches after England’s Laura Davies and Paula Marti from Spain led the way for after posting an impressive 2up victory over Americans Juli Inkster and Laura Diaz in the morning foursomes of The Solheim Cup.
Following close on their heels were the seven time Solheim Cupper Helen Alfredsson from Sweden and Suzann Pettersen from Norway, who birdied their last six holes to cruise past the formidable pairing of Kelly Robbins and Pat Hurst by 4&2.
 |
| Alfie and mini Alfie with a happy Captain |
Alfredsson was more than complimentary about the 21-year-old rookie, who Captain Reid has nicknamed ‘mini-Alfie’ such is her strong temperament.
“Suzann made an absolutely incredible putt on nine for par. We could have gone one down there, but that was a crucial putt,” said Alfredsson.
“And then we got the game going, we never got in trouble, and I holed the put on 11, and then we holed on 12, and then we just got in it, and then, you know, she hit some incredible iron shots that it’s like it would be such a waste not to make them.”
Sorenstam and Koch breezed past Mallon and the super confident rookie Keuhne, keeping the crowd – and Keuhne – quiet with a merciless display of accuracy and slick putting.
“We had a lot of fun out there,” said the World number one, “We hooked up well and Carin just knows how to make the putts at the most important times, it was great.”
Daniel and Ward were relieved with their victory after a scare at the last when Carriedo lipped out to halve the match.
“I knew we had to do something special out there, we were the last American group standing.”
Scores:
Paula Marti and Laura Davies beat Juli Inkster and Laura Diaz by 2up
Iben Tinning and Raquel Carriedo lost to Beth Daniel and Wendy Ward 1 down
Helen Alfredsson and Suzann Pettersen beat Kelly Robbins and Pat Hurst 4&2
Annika Soresntam and Carin Koch beat Meg Mallon and Kelli Keuhne 3&2
Afternoon pairings; Fourball matches
1215CST Laura Davies and Paula Marti vs Rosie Jones and Christie Kerr
1230CST Sophie Gustafson and Karine Icher vs Laura Diaz and Emilee Klein
1245CST Annika Sorenstam and Maria Hjorth vs Michelle Redman and Meg Mallon
1300CST Mhairi Mckay and Carin Koch vs Juli Inkster and Kelli Keuhne
