Europe stretch Solheim lead after foursomes

Europe tightened their grip on the Solheim Cup after dominating the morning foursomes in Malmo today

Europe tightened their grip on the Solheim Cup after dominating the morning foursomes in Malmo today. They lead holders the United States by 7 1/2 points to 4 1/2.

The home team, who had led by 4 1/2 points to 3 1/2 overnight, did not lose a tie in taking the series 3-1 at Barseback Golf and Country Club.

Norway's Suzann Pettersen, unbeaten this week, and Swede Sophie Gustafson maintained their impressive form, beating Kelli Kuehne and Cristie Kerr 3 & 1 in the first match out.

In the third match, world number one Annika Sorenstam and Carin Koch bounced back from a rare defeat in yesterday's fourballs to triumph 3 & 2 over Wendy Ward and U.S. rookie Heather Bowie.

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But the most rousing effort by the Europeans came from Denmark's Iben Tinning and German rookie Elisabeth Esterl, who came back from one down with two holes to play to claim a half point from Michele Redman and Solheim newcomer Angela Stanford.

Esterl, the first German to play in the biennial competition, nearly holed her second shot at the par-four 17th for a winning birdie before Tinning holed from six feet at the last to secure the half.

In the final tie, Britons Catriona Matthew and Janice Moodie fought out a close tussle with Kelly Robbins and Meg Mallon that ended with honours even.