Britain and Ireland widen Vivendi lead

PARIS, Sept. 25 (UPI) -- The Britain and Ireland team won three-of-five matches Friday, widening its lead over Continental Europe to 6-4 at The Vivendi Trophy with Seve Ballesteros.

The matches were in the four-ball format, in which a team's best individual score on each hole counts.

The British-Irish team of Simon Dyson and Oliver Wilson carded a 2 and 1 victory over world No. 5 Henrik Stenson and Alvaro Quiros.

Nick Dougherty and Ross Fisher followed with a 3 and 2 win over the Continental European team of Peter Hanson and Soren Hansen.

In the third match, Continental European's Anders Hansen and Francesco Molinari were 3 and 1 winners over Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy.

The fourth match was the first to reach the 18th hole at Saint-Nom-la Breteche Golf Club in Paris. Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano knocked his tee shot within 10 feet of the pin and two-putted for par and he and Robert Karlsson earned a 1-up win for the Continental Europe side over Robert Rock and Steve Webster.

In the final match, the British-Irish team of Anthony Wall and Chris Wood defeated Miguel Angel Jimenez and Soren Kjeldsen 3 and 2.

There will be four greensome matches (modified alternate shot) Saturday morning and four foursome (alternate shot) matches in the afternoon before 10 singles matches Sunday.

The winning side needs 14 1/2 points. Britain and Ireland has won the event four straight times.