It seemed that historic firsts were the order of the weekend as a first ever hole-in-one in the Solheim Cup from another Swede Anna Nordqvist during Saturday's foursomes helped the Europeans to eventually end day two with a commanding 10.5-5.5 lead.

"I don't think it has hit me yet," said Nordqvist, who saw her tee-shot at the 17th find its way straight into the cup.

"It was a really good shot, going straight at it.

"We thought it might be a little long, but it pitched and hit, and it's just an unbelievable feeling."

Despite an American rally which saw the hosts win two and halve one of yeserdayt morning's foursomes, Europe regrouped for the afternoon fourballs and secured four wins from four to leave them needing just 3.5 points to retain the trophy going into the final day's singles matches.

The first two days of competition were somewhat overshadowed by rows over ball placement, which only served to ratchet up the tension between the two sides.

On Friday (August 16), Europe's Carlota Ciganda, playing alongside Suzann Petersen, hit her second shot into a water hazard at the par-five 15th and was allowed to take an incorrect drop, eventually halving the hole and going on to win the match against the recently crowned women's British Open champion Stacy Lewis and teammate Lexi Thompson.

That was followed by further controversy in yesterday's fourballs match between European pair Karine Icher and Beatriz Recari and the US duo of Morgan Pressel and Cristie Kerr.

Both Icher and Recari found a water hazard and a row ensued with the Americans as no one could agree on each other's ball placement which meant that tournament officials were forced to intervene and make the decision.

Icher of France and Spaniard Recari eventually won the bad-tempered match one up as Europe took a record equalling five point lead into the final day.

Lewis and Nordqvist halved the first of the singles matches before a sensational display from 17-year-old debutant Charley Hull from England saw her crush world number 11 Paula Creamer 5&4, and repay the faith shown in her by European captain Liselotte Neumann, who made the girl from Kettering the youngest player ever to play in the competition after giving her a wildcard berth.

England's Charley Hull became the youngest ever player in Solheim Cup history aged just 17

"I gave myself high hopes and I just wanted to prove people wrong," said Hull.

"I'm 17 and people were wondering if I could perform under the pressure but I go out and enjoy it, which takes care of the pressure.

"Before the match I just thought 'bring it' because I beat her [Creamer] on Saturday and I'd try to do it again."

Despite Britttany Lang pulling a point back for the US by beating Azahara Munoz of Spain, the next five matches all went the way of the visitors as Ciganda, Hedwall, Matthew, Pettersen and Giulia Sergas followed by Jodie Ewart-Shadoff, Recari and Icher completed an emphatic and memorable day for European golf.

"It's fantastic," said victorious captain Neumann from Sweden.

"I am so proud of these girls.

"They played so well today, and the last two days have been amazing.

"It was really fun to see Caroline (Hedwall) get her fifth win and her fifth point this week and making some history, and with the team winning here for the first time it's just an amazing day."

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