Defending champions Europe open up two-point lead over America on first day of Solheim Cup

Europe will go into day two of the Solheim Cup with a 4-2 advantage over the United States ©Getty Images

Defending champions Europe lead favourites the United States 4-2 after bad light brought a premature end to play on the opening day of the Solheim Cup in St Leon-Rot in Germany.

The European side, captained by Sweden’s Carin Koch, lead one of the two foursomes which will resume in the morning, with the other all square with one hole to play.

19-year-old sensation Charley Hull of Britain was the star of the European show as she picked up two points, partnering Melissa Reid to victory over Michelle Wie and Brittany Lincicome in the morning foursomes.

She then teamed up with Gwladys Nocera as the duo were able to add another point on the board for Europe as they beat Alison Lee and Angela Stanford.

“I enjoy playing foursomes with Mel because if one of us hits a loose shot, we both know we’ve got the games to recover,” Hull said.

“We have played quite a few times together over the years.

“We know each other’s games and it’s a lot of fun - it was a good pair.

“Sometimes I like to look at scoreboards but today I didn’t.

“I was pretty focused and plugging along.”

Charley Hull was the star of the show for Europe as she picked up two points on the opening day ©Getty Images

The 2015 event had begun in even fashion as both Europe and the United States secured two wins in the foursomes session.

As well as Hull and Reid’s triumph, German Sandra Gal and Catriona Matthew were in good form for Europe as they proved too strong for Stacy Lewis and Lizette Salas.

The Americans, who have been installed as favourites to reign supreme in Germany despite not having won the tournament since the 2009 event on home soil in Illinois, had the teams of Cristie Kerr and Lexi Thompson and Morgan Pressel and Paula Creamer to thank in the early stages as both picked up vital wins to keep pace with the Europeans.

Kerr and Thompson secured a 2&1 success against Karine Icher and Azahara Muñoz, while the duo of Pressel and Creamer beat Anna Nordqvist and Suzann Pettersen 3&2.

The morning session set up a perfectly-poised afternoon and it was Europe who won the two completed fourballs, with Nordqvist and Caroline Hedwall adding to Hull and Nocera’s success to give their team a healthy lead going in to day two.