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was being staged in this country. It would be difficult to justify such a view, however, in the light of yesterday's developments.

Meanwhile, the general level of play, morning and afternoon, suggested that the Killeen course was providing a formidable test. Birdies were decidedly scarce, while in those matches which went the full distance, the notoriously shallow green on the 17th proved to be an elusive target.

Described rather disparagingly by an American observer as looking like a hot dog, it ate, rather than being eaten. But Sarah Lebrun Ingram, the only American winner in the afternoon, didn't challenge it when gaining battle was notable for the erratic nature of the English player's clubbing, particularly when losing both the 15th and 16th to pars.

The only other American reward from a torrid afternoon came in the fourth match in which a par, bogey finish by Marla Jemsek was sufficient to take her from one down to a share of the honours with Elaine Ratcliffe.

In the final match of the day, Moodie had the considerable satisfaction of gaining a repeat win over Thompson by an even clearer margin than she achieved in the climactic pairing at Chattanooga two years ago. While carding four birdies on this occasion, Moodie established a winning lead by sinking a huge, 50 footer for a win at the 12th and she covered the remaining holes to the 17th in level par.

When this morning's pairings were announced, Lang's tactical error of lunchtime yesterday be came all the more apparent insofar as her foursomes line up is missing the partnership of Kerr and Thompson, clearly with a view to resting the older player. But despite needing six and a half "points for victory, the US skipper insisted: "It's not out of reach by many means. We simply have to play better and hole some putts."