Defending champions America and Europe are neck and neck heading into the final day of the Solheim Cup women's match play golf tournament.

Europe edged the United States with 4 1/2 points to 3 1/2 points on Saturday to level the contest at eight points apiece with 12 singles matches to come on Sunday in the Ryder Cup-style competition.

Americans Michelle Wie and Cristie Kerr parred the final hole against Maria Hjorth and Anna Nordqvist, but it was enough for a 1-up victory in the final match of the day that kept Europe from sleeping on the overall lead.

"I want to go out again," said Wie, who played the first four-ball match Saturday morning and the last foursomes match Saturday afternoon.

The Americans have traditionally dominated singles and have never lost on home soil, but Europe had a very good Saturday.

The first foursomes easily went to Europe as Janice Moodie and Sophie Gustafson beat Paula Creamer and Juli Inkster 4 and 3.

Kristy McPherson and Morgan Pressel got the hosts a huge point in match two when they beat Suzann Pettersen and Helen Alfredsson 2-up.

Europeans Becky Brewerton and Gwladys Nocera then crushed Natalie Gulbis and Christina Kim 5 and 4.

In the key anchor match, Nordqvist and Hjorth took an early lead, but Wie and Kerr pulled even at the sixth and took the lead at the eighth.

Europe won No.9 to square the match, but Wie landed her approach within inches to win the 10th and put the US 1-up.

Wie hit another great shot to four feet at 11 and Kerr drained the putt for a 2-up advantage.

At 16, Nordqvist hit a spectacular tee shot to three feet as Europe won the hole.

The Americans looked to be in trouble at the next when Wie drove into the rough, and Kerr then found the water.

Europe, however, were almost as badly off, Hjorth driving a bunker and Nordqvist laying up short of the pond. Hjorth's poor third shot left the 45 feet from the pin, and Nordqvist left her putt six feet away.

Wie, meanwhile, dropped in the rough and knocked the team's fourth over the green.

Kerr hit a lovely chip four feet past, Hjorth's bogey attempt was never close and Wie made her double-bogey putt to halve the hole and maintain a 1-up lead.

At the last, Wie's tough 15-footer for birdie must missed, but Hjorth's seven-footer to win the hole and halve the match never made it.

"There's nothing really comparable," said Wie, a Solheim Cup newcomer. "My hands were so sweaty. I was hoping I didn't lose the putter grip. There's no words to describe it."

Now it comes down to the singles matches. The United States need 14 points to retain the Cup they won two years ago, while Europe needs 14 1/2 to win it.

AFP

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