Solheim Cup: USA fightback sparks hope of away win after Europe’s fast start

The rain poured and the United States roared. Hope had cascaded through the European contingent at this ­Solheim Cup during Friday afternoon until the sort of fightback that endorsed the sense that, come Sunday evening, the US will have won this trophy in a ­foreign land for the first time since 2015. This compelling day concluded with the scores level at 4-4. For Europe, it had ­promised to be so much better.

After a morning session that closed all square at 2-2, Europe surged ahead in three fourball matches. This felt like validation for Anna Nordqvist, the home captain. She had opted not to deploy any of the four players who returned two foursomes points – Maja Stark, Linn Grant, Leona Maguire and Esther Henseleit – after lunch.