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U.S. sweeps fourball, takes Solheim Cup lead

 
Published Aug. 19, 2017

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — The favored Americans found themselves trailing Europe after a sluggish start to the Solheim Cup.

They settled down Friday afternoon, pulling away with a record-setting fourball performance.

The United States swept the fourball matches to take a 51/2-21/2 lead after the event's first day at Des Moines Golf and Country Club.

Lizette Salas and U.S. newcomer Danielle Kang each won two matches, teaming to beat Carlota Ciganda and Caroline Masson 1 up for the Americans' lone full point in the morning foursomes, then leading the United States to its first fourball sweep in the afternoon.

"This is the history we really don't want. We want the history on Sunday night. We want the Cup," U.S. captain Juli Inkster said. "We've got a lot of work (ahead)."

The United States never trailed in any of the fourball matches.

Salas and rookie Angel Yin routed Ciganda and Emily Pedersen 6 and 5, and Kang and Michelle Wie topped Madelene Sagstrom and Jodi Ewart Shadoff 3 and 1. Seminole's Brittany Lincicome and Brittany Lang beat Masson and Florentyna Parker 3 and 2, and Stacy Lewis and Gerina Piller edged Charley Hull and Georgia Hall 2 and 1

Lincicome and Lang improved to 3-0-0 as a fourball tandem.

"I was relaxed playing with my buddy," Lincicome said. "We just tried to go out and play the best for our team."

After more foursomes and fourballs today, the event closes with 12 singles matches Sunday.

"I would say that the spirit is still there, if not stronger," European captain Annika Sorenstam said. "I have fighters on the team, and I believe in them. We're just going to forget about this day."

McIlroy to return for playoffs: Rory McIlroy has decided his health is good enough for him to start the FedEx Cup playoffs next week. McIlroy had said after he finished at the PGA Championship on Sunday that he could feel a back muscle spasm in recent weeks as he practiced more to get ready for the final major of the year and he might not play competitively again until next year.

His manager said McIlroy planned to play the Northern Trust, which starts Thursday on Long Island in New York. McIlroy won two playoff events last year, including the Tour Championship, to capture the FedEx Cup and its $10 million bonus. That was his last victory. Injuries have hampered him this year.

PGA: Ryan Armour shot a career-best 9-under 61 for a share of the lead with Webb Simpson (64) at 13-under 127 after two rounds at the Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, N.C. Henrik Stenson (66) was one back. First-round leader Matt Every shot 72 to slip six strokes off the lead.

Champions: Kevin Sutherland and Wes Short Jr. shot 7-under 65 to share of the Dick's Sporting Goods Open lead at Endicott, N.Y. Colin Montgomerie was a stroke back with Mark Brooks, Russ Cochran and Corey Pavin