Solheim Cup: U.S. loses lead as Europe dominates to level competition ahead of finale

The Solheim Cup's second day of competition set the stage for a suspenseful day of singles matches as the U.S. and Europe enter the finale tied 8-8.

After the U.S. team swept the opening foursome alternate shot matches on Day 1, Europe took control of the fourball matches in the afternoon of Day 2 at Finca Cortesin Golf Club in Spain.

Where the U.S. once seemed poised to easily win the 18th edition of the biennial event, Europe reminded fans not to count them out. Such is the nature of this tournament, in which Team USA only has a slight all-time edge at 10-7.

Morning foursomes go 2-2

Entering Saturday with a 5-3 lead, the U.S. came out of the morning foursomes matches with a slender advantage intact before Europe closed the gap in the fourballs.

America's Lilia Vu and Jennifer Kupcho lost to Europe's Emily Pedersen and Carlota Ciganda, who had a two shot lead with a hole to play in the first match of the day. In the second match, Lexi Thompson and Megan Khang secured the win for the U.S. over by a single hole.

Nelly Korda made the win look easy as she and Allisen Corpuz dominated Europe's Georgia Hall and Celine Boutier, winning with a five-hole lead with three to play.

But Europe's Maja Stark and Linn Grant evened the foursomes with a win over Danielle Kang and Andrea Lee by one hole.

Europe dominates afternoon fourball

Leona Maguire got Europe off to a hot start in the afternoon fourball as she and Charlie Hull bested Korda and Ally Ewing by four holes with three to play. Maguire contributed seven birdies as she led the charge.

The U.S. snagged its only win of the day from Cheyenne Knight and Angel Yin, who defeated Anna Nordqvist and Caroline Hedwall by two holes.

Until the end of that victory, the U.S. seemed in danger of a sweep. Europe's Madelene Sagstrom and Pedersen beat Rose Zhang and Lee as they had a two-hole lot with just one to play.

Ciganda and Grant of the European team also beat Kang and Vu of the U.S. by two holes.

Day 2 Bloopers

Amid Saturday's turning tides, there were some unexpected moments unrelated to the play on the course.

Hull almost hit Team Europe captain Suzann Pettersen with her approach iron shot on the course's par five No. 8.:

Later, Pettersen’s husband, Christian Ringvold, became an impromptu groundskeeper of sorts as he rose to the challenge of thwarting a sprinkler that went off during morning foursomes on the 16th hole.

Apparently, this isn’t the first time this has happened at a Solheim Cup. A sprinkler went off while Georgia Hall and Paula Creamer were playing their singles match in 2017, per Golf Digest.

That was also the last year Team U.S. won the Solheim Cup. On the looming final day of action, American LPGA stars will look to prevent Europe from a three-peat.

The lineup is out for Sunday's singles matches, during which all 12 members from each team will face a member of the opposing team in a head-to-head match.