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8 SEPTEMBER 2007

United States move ahead in the opening singles

The United States have taken two of the opening three singles matches this afternoon to open up a slender one point advantage over Great Britain & Ireland as local hero Rory McIlroy three-putted from 25 feet on the final green to lose the hole to par and the match to Billy Horschel after fighting back from two down with four to play.

It was a great disappointment to the large crowds of supporters who had seen McIlroy and fellow Irishman Jonathan Caldwell perform a great escape in the morning foursomes to earn a vital half-point.

Lloyd Saltman, after halving the first hole of his match against Rickie Fowler in birdies, conceded the next, went two down at the third and was four behind after 10 holes. His only success came when Fowler bogeyed the 440-yard 11th and the American went on for a comfortable 5 and 4 result.

GB&I's first victory of the afternoon came from the sparkling form of Rhys Davies. Five pars and two birdies for the opening seven holes put him four up on Dustin Johnson, and although a dropped shot at the ninth cost him a hole, he was always in charge and won by 5 and 4.

Of the five matches still on the course, the USA lead in three and GB&I in two. Nigel Edwards, the 39-year-old Welshman playing in his fourth Walker Cup, had dropped just one shot in his first 11 holes and was comfortably three up on Kyle Stanley.

In the final match David Horsey was one up on Webb Simpson after eight holes.