Europe go into singles five up

Europe need just four points from today's 12 singles matches to win the Solheim Cup after another superb display at Loch Lomond.

Four of the six fourball matches resumed this morning after persistent rain forced play to be suspended at 3.30pm yesterday afternoon.

And the home side took two more points to earn a five point lead at 9 1/2 to 4 1/2 and put them in a strong position to win the biennial contest for only the second time. The only previous win also came in Scotland at Dalmahoy in 1992.

The day had began controversially with Sweden's Annika Sorenstam reduced to tears after a ruling row on the 13th green.

Sorenstam, again partnered with Scotland's Janice Moodie in a partnership that had won two points out of two on the first day, chipped in from just off the green for what seemed a birdie four on the par five.

But the American players complained that the world number two had played out of turn, meaning that she was not furthest from the hole, and called for a ruling from the referee.

Although Pat Hurst and Kelly Robbins were fully within their rights to do so, the feeling persisted that they would not have raised the matter if Sorenstam had not chipped in and soured what had been an excellent match.

Eventually, with Sorenstam openly weeping on the green, the Swede was told to play the shot again and this time narrowly missed, Hurst holing her short birdie putt to put the Americans two up.

Robbins and Hurst eventually won 2&1, the players exchanging only cursory handshakes on the 17th green with Sorenstam having less than an hour to compose herself in time to start the opening singles match.

That was Europe's only defeat however, Catrin Nilsmark and Carin Koch beating Nancy Scranton and Michele Redman 2&1 and the other two matches halved.

Dottie Pepper, playing with Brandie Burton, birdied the last to deny Liselotte Neumann and Patricia Meunier Lebouc victory, while Meg Mallon birdied the 15th to earn a half for her and partner Beth Daniel against Laura Davies and Raquel Carriedo.