PARKER, Colo., Aug. 16 (UPI) -- Caroline Hedwall took part in two victories Friday that helped give Europe a two-point lead over the United States after the opening day of the Solheim Cup.
In the 13th playing of the international team competition, the Europeans seized a 5-3 advantage in their bid to win the cup on American soil for the first time.
American Stacy Lewis, ranked No. 2 in the world, suffered a pair of losses. Michelle Wie, who was selected to the U.S. team despite her struggles this year, joined with Cristie Kerr to pull out a clutch victory at the end of the day.
Europe won three of the morning's foursome matches at the Colorado Golf Club with Hedwall joining Anna Nordqvist to defeat Lewis and Lizette Salas 4-and-2.
Suzann Pettersen and Beatriz Recari won another match for Europe in the morning by defeating Angela Stanford and Brittany Lang 2-and-1, while Azahara Munoz and Karine Icher posted a 2-and-1 win over Kerr and Paula Creamer.
The only American win in the morning came from Morgan Pressel and Jessica Korda, who downed Catriona Matthew and Jodi Ewart-Shadoff 3-and-2.
Hedwall teamed with Caroline Masson in the afternoon fourball matches to defeat Stanford and Gerina Piller 2-and-1. The Europeans also came up with a 1-up win from Pettersen and Carlota Ciganda over Lewis and Lexi Thompson.
United States veterans came through late in the day with Lang joining Brittany Lincicome to defeat Nordqvist and Giulia Sergas 4 & 3, and Wie teaming with Kerr for a 2-and-1 win over Matthew and Charley Hull.
Eight more team matches will be played Saturday and 12 singles matches will take place Sunday
