Americans take lead in Solheim Cup

SUGAR GROVE, Ill., Aug. 21 (UPI) -- Paula Creamer took part in two winning matches Friday and helped give the United States a one-point lead after the opening day of the Solheim Cup.

In the most significant team event in women's golf, being played for the 11th time, the United States held a 4 1/2-3 1/2 advantage over Europe after the first eight of the 28 matches that will determine the winner.

Creamer teamed with Cristie Kerr in the morning fourball matches to defeat Suzann Pettersen and Sophie Gustafson 1-up. In the afternoon, Creamer and Juli Inkster held on for a 2 & 1 foursomes victory over Catriona Matthew and Janice Moody.

Another eight team matches will be held Saturday and 12 singles matches will take place Sunday.

The morning action featured Michelle Wie's first appearance on a U.S. professional match play team. She joined with Morgan Pressel to halve a foursomes match with Matthew and Maria Hjorth.

Neither Wie nor Kerr played in the afternoon, having been left out of the matches by American captain Beth Daniel. They had been two of the best players for the U.S. side in the morning.

The most one-sided win of the day came from Americans Brittany Lang and Brittany Lincicome, who overwhelmed Laura Davies and Becky Brewerton in the morning 5 & 4.