U.S. takes lead over Europe

Laura Davies made two shots that will go down in Solheim Cup lore to win the 16th hole, save her match and turn a rough opening day for the Europeans into something much better at Halmstad, Sweden.

The U.S. led, 4 1/2 -3 1/2 , after a windy, wet and frigid day -- a good sign for a team that hasn’t been ahead after the first day since 1998.

Playing in the final four-ball match of the day, Davies’ tee shot on the par-three 16th ended up in the bushes and bramble behind a creek.

Once there, she took a wild swing and a gash of underbrush, blasting the ball to the fringe on the opposite side of the green.

Still away, she chipped in her next shot from 50 feet to win the hole and draw her and Trish Johnson even against Americans Morgan Pressel and Paula Creamer.

“Considering the circumstances, it was beyond belief, really,” Davies said. “I would say it was a pretty good moment.”

The match ended in a draw.

That, plus a rally by Annika Sorenstam and Maria Hjorth to salvage another half-point against Angela Stanford and Stacy Prammanasudh, helped Europe split the afternoon matches.

In other afternoon best-ball matches, Catriona Matthew and Iben Tinning beat Pat Hurst and Brittany Lincicome, 4 and 2, and American Cristie Kerr got her second point of the day, teaming with Nicole Castrale for a 3-and-2 victory over Sophie Gustafson and Gwladys Nocera.

The Americans took 2 1/2 points in the morning alternate-shot matches, led by some clutch putting from Sherri Steinhauer, who teamed with Laura Diaz to defeat Sorenstam and Matthew, 4 and 2.

Rod Spittle was at three under through five holes when heavy rain forced Champions Tour officials to suspend first-round play in the Greater Hickory Classic at Conover, N.C.

Only 54 of the 78 players were on the course when play was stopped. The round will resume this morning, with the second round expected to begin early in the afternoon.