Solheim Cup: Europe extend lead after Anna Nordqvist hole-in-one

Anna Nordqvist hit the first hole-in-one in Solheim Cup history as Europe extended their lead to five points over the United States in Colorado.

Europe go into Sunday's 12 singles matches 10½-5½ ahead, and need only 3½ more points to retain the trophy.

The United States closed the overnight gap by winning two and halving one of Saturday's morning foursomes.

But Europe dominated in the afternoon's fourballs, winning all four of the points on offer.

For the second successive day, there was a dispute about ball placement after two players found a hazard.

On Friday, officials admitted their mistake when they gave Europeans Suzann Pettersen and Carlota Ciganda a favourable and incorrect ruling on the par-five 15th.

Ciganda hit her second shot into a water hazard and was allowed to take an incorrect drop before eventually halving the hole and going on to win her match.

A day later, Americans Morgan Pressel and Cristie Kerr argued with opponents Karine Icher and Beatriz Recari for over half an hour after Kerr and Recari both found a water hazard. The duo could not agree on each other's ball placement so officials had to step in.

Icher and Recari shrugged off the incident to win the match and help Europe open up a five-point lead - the equal biggest in the competition's history heading into Sunday's singles.

No team has ever come back from more than two points behind to win the trophy, but US captain Meg Mallon, whose side must win at least nine of the 12 singles matches to reclaim the trophy, remained positive.

"Obviously, it was a very disappointing afternoon," she said. "We have our work cut out for us tomorrow. It can be done. It's daunting right now but it can be done."

The United States trailed 5-3 after the opening day, but won the morning foursomes 2½-1½.

Stacy Lewis and Paula Creamer prevailed one up on Azahara Munoz and Icher while Michelle Wie and Brittany Land completed a 2&1 victory against Suzann Pettersen and Beatriz Recari after the latter spurned a chance to take the match to the final hole.

Europe's Nordqvist holed her tee shot on the 17th as she and Caroline Hedwall came from four down to beat Jessica Korda and Pressel 2&1 in the foursomes.

"I don't think it has hit me yet," Swede Nordqvist said. "It was a really good shot, going straight at it. We thought it might be a little long, but it pitched and hit, and it's just an unbelievable feeling."

Catriona Matthew, playing alongside Caroline Masson, holed a nervy final-hole putt to share a point with Brittany Lincicome and Lizette Salas in the final match of the morning to keep Europe in front.

The reigning champions, who won the biennial contest two years ago for the first time since 2003, stepped up their game in the afternoon session.

Jodi Ewart-Shadoff and Charley Hull won two-up over Creamer and Thompson, and Munoz and Ciganda won one-up against Gerina Piller and Angela Stanford.

Hedwall and Masson beat Wie and Korda 2&1, before Recari and Icher completed the sweep with a one-up win over and Kerr and Pressel.

Sunday's singles tee-times

(all times BST, European players first)

19:40 Anna Nordqvist (Swe) v Stacy Lewis

19:50 Charley Hull (Eng) v Paula Creamer

20:00 Azahara Munoz (Spa) v Brittany Lang

20:10 Carlota Ciganda (Spa) v Morgan Pressel

20:20 Caroline Hedwall (Swe) v Michelle Wie

20:30 Catriona Matthew (Sco) v Gerina Piller

20:40 Suzann Pettersen (Nor) v Lizette Salas

20:50 Giulia Sergas (Ita) v Jessica Korda

21:00 Caroline Masson (Ger) v Lexi Thompson

21:10 Jodi Ewart (Eng) v Brittany Lincicome

21:20 Beatriz Recari (Spa) v Angela Stanford

21:30 Karine Icher (Fra) v Cristie Kerr