Britain and Ireland ahead of U.S. in Curtis Cup

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MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA, Mass. (AP) -- Britain and Ireland have opened up an early lead on the United States in the 36th Curtis Cup.

After halving the three morning foursomes, the visitors on Friday won two of the three fourball matches in the afternoon to take a 3.5-2.5 lead over the Americans in the biennial event being held at the Essex County Club. The U.S., which has won the event six straight times, needs 10 points to retain the cup; the GB&I team 10.5 points to take it back across the pond.

Essex County was the home course of sisters Harriot and Margaret Curtis, who donated the cup for which the competition between the two teams of female amateur golfers is named.

Pamela Pretswell of Scotland and Danielle McVeigh of Northern Ireland jumped on the American team of Jennifer Song and Kimberly Kim in the leadoff afternoon fourball match, birdieing the first two holes and seven of the 15 holes in a 4 and 3 win.

McVeigh, of Northern Ireland and at 22 the oldest woman on the team, made several putts on the 6,500-yard layout designed by famed Scotsman Donald Ross.

"Danielle had a 3-foot putt for a birdie on the first hole and we were off and running," said Pretswell, who admitted being nervous at the start after not playing in the morning matches.

Sally Watson of England and Lisa Maguire of Ireland birdied the 16th hole and held on for a 1-up win over Americans Jessica Korda and Tiffany Lua in another afternoon fourball.

"I think we all played some really great golf," said Korda. "It came down to who made more putts in the end."

Maguire, whose short putt on the 18th hole sealed the win, said she was glad she was able to contribute after Watson carried the team for most of the match.

Alexis Thompson, a 15-year-old who is making her last appearance as an amateur before turning pro next week, was the star of the day for the U.S. team. She and Jennifer Johnson scored the lone U.S. win, the duo scoring five birdies on their own ball in a 3 and 2 win over Rachel Jennings and Leona Maguire in the afternoon.

GB&I captain Mary McKenna said before play began that the foursome and fourball formats that make up the first two days of play favored her team, and was happy with the first-day results.

"Halving the morning matches gave us the confidence we could play with them (the U.S.). We knew we were capable of it."

She said she was happy with the way her team played.

"There's lots of golf left, that's what I'll tell them. I'm happy with the position we're in."

In the morning matches -- played in the foursome alternate-shot format -- GB&I's Watson and Jennings were 2-up with two holes to play against the U.S.'s Song and Johnson, but a clutch putt by Johnson on 17 extended the match and the Americans also won the 18th.

Hannah Barwood and Holly Clyburn deadlocked with the U.S.'s Thompson and Korda, and McVeigh sank a long putt on the 18th to give her and teammate Leona Maguire a half-point against Cydney Clanton and Stepahnie Kono of the U.S.