Great Britain and Ireland produced an unbeaten session in the afternoon fourballs to take a two-point lead over the United States into the final day of the Curtis Cup.
Catriona Matthew’s side fought back on Saturday afternoon to claim a share of the spoils after the opening day, then won one and a half one of three foursomes matches on Saturday morning in front of a strong crowd at Sunningdale.
That left the score locked at 4.5-4.5 heading into the afternoon session, where Great Britain won two and a half games out of three to move to a 7-5 advantage over the defending champions.
England and Ireland need three-and-a-half points from Sunday’s eight singles matches to win the Curtis Cup for the first time since 2016, the United States need five points to retain the trophy and five-and-a-half points for a fourth straight. win.
How England and Ireland are progressing
All three foursomes contests proved to be tense and tight on Saturday morning, with two finished on the 18th and the other decided on the 17th hole to leave little to separate the two teams.
Lottie Woad and Sara Byrne finished all square against Melanie Green and Rachel Kuehn, with the Great Britain and Irish pair losing back-to-back bogeys at the 16th before grabbing half a point when Green missed a five-footer for victory at the 18th.
The only full point for the United States was when Catherine Park and Zoe Campos beat Patience Rhodes and Beth Coulter 2&1, before Hannah Darling and Aine Donegan ensured the morning level ended with a one-hole win over Anna Davis and Megan Schofill.
Darling and Mimi Rhodes beat Jasmine Koo and Asterisk Talley 3 & 2 in the afternoon fourballs, with Lorna McClymont and Coulter then beating Anna Davis and Green 2 & 1.
Sara Byrne had a chance to complete the session’s whitewash but missed the hole from 12 feet for birdie on the 18th, meaning she and partner Lottie Woad had to settle for half a point against Rachel Kuehn and Megan Schofill.
“I got a really good shot out there to give myself a chance, the putts didn’t stop today,” said a frustrated Byrne. Sky Sports. “I struggled today to get my putts down, but it’s golf.
“Lottie and I both played unbelievable and Lottie made a great putt on the 16th to get us fired up. Tomorrow is an important day and the last few holes are important.
Ahead of Sunday’s singles, Woad, who won the Augusta National Women’s Amateur earlier this year, added: “I just have to not think too far ahead, just focus on my own matches. You can only win your own points. So don’t focus on what you’re doing. whole group and win your match.”
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