Europe storm into Solheim lead

Europe have stormed back into the lead in the Solheim Cup, after pulling off a whitewash in the afternoon fourballs.

They had started day two level at 4-4 with the United States but fell back 7-5 at the end of the morning's foursomes.

But they enjoyed a sensational afternoon, winning all four remaining ties for a 9-7 lead.

Tied overnight, Europe's hopes of defending the cup and winning for a first time on American soil suffered a setback as the home team stepped up a gear.

World number one Annika Sorenstam and Carin Koch gave Europe a great start, but the visitors ended up trailing.

Three rookies played important roles for the US, with Emilee Klein and Wendy Ward defeating Scotland's Mhairi McKay and Denmark's Iben Tinning three and two.

Laura Diaz collected her second point with Kelly Robbins in a three and one win over Helen Alfredsson and Suzann Pettersen, a star pairing on the opening day.

Britain's Laura Davies and Spanish rookie Paula Marti added to the visitors' misery when they lost to US Open Champion Juli Inkster and Meg Mallon.

One up with five to play, the European duo lost the short 14th to a birdie and the 16th to a par to fall one behind.

Another US birdie at the 17th clinched the point.

Sorenstam and Koch had overrun Cristie Kerr and local star Michele Redman in the top match at Interlachen, Minnesota.

The deadly Swedish pair won four of the opening six holes and clinched the day's first point four and three - Europe's only consolation of the morning.

Five-point target

Koch took her record in this year's event to 4-0 in the afternoon fourballs as she and Sorenstam recorded their second four and three win of the day, this time against Beth Daniel and Ward.

Two down after seven holes, the pair won six out of seven holes from the eighth for a stunning win.

Maria Hjorth and Tinning clinched their fourballs against Pat Hurst and Kelli Kuehne two up, while Karine Icher and Raquel Carriedo narrowly defeated Rosie Jones and Kerr one up.

Davies and Sophie Gustafson completed the whitewash, holding off a late Robbins/Klein fightback to win one up.

Europe now need just five points from 12 matches in Sunday's singles to retain the cup.

Saturday's foursomes: