US lead Europe 3-1 after opening Solheim session

The United States opened a commanding 3-1 lead over Europe in Friday's opening session of the Solheim Cup in Virginia.

Denmark's Emily Pedersen and Sweden's Maja Stark picked up Europe's solitary point with a nervy victory that went down the 18th hole, despite them being four up after five holes.

But by then the US were 3-0 ahead, with all the foursomes matches ending on the 16th hole after European players missed similar putts.

World number one Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz had put the first point on the board, finishing strongly to beat Charley Hull and Esther Henseleit 3&2 in a see-saw match.

Rose Zhang and Lauren Coughlin also went on an impressive back-nine run, winning three successive holes from the 12th to take control of their match against Celine Boutier and Albane Valenzuela before closing out a 3&2 triumph.

And world number two Lilia Vu partnered rookie Sarah Schmelzel to victory in the bottom match at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, seeing off Carlota Ciganda and Linn Grant.

As holders, Europe need 14 of the 28 available points to lift the Solheim Cup for a record fourth successive time, while the US need 14½ to earn a first win since 2017.

More to follow.