The U.S. made a confident start to their Solheim Cup defence on Friday, Paula Creamer winning both her matches before the hosts ended the first day leading Europe by 4-½ points to 3-1/2.
One point ahead after the morning's fourballs, the Americans split the afternoon's foursomes encounters with the visitors to stay in overall control at Rich Harvest Farms.
"I'm pleased to have a one-point lead," U.S. captain Beth Daniel told reporters. "There were some tough matches, particularly in the morning when we were behind and we kind of rallied on the back nine. That made a big difference for us."
Americans Christina Kim and Natalie Gulbis, good friends since their junior days, birdied the first two holes in the top foursomes match on the way to a commanding 4&2 win against Suzann Pettersen and Sophie Gustafson.
With the effervescent Kim continually whipping up fan support on a damp and overcast afternoon, they led throughout before sealing victory with a par on the 16th green.
"We were really looking forward to playing together," Gulbis, 26, told reporters. "We played together four years ago at the Solheim and we had a great time out there. We got off to a really good start and just kept going."
Europe, who traditionally excel in the foursomes, hit back in the next two matches to draw level with the U.S. on 3-½ points.
Swedes Maria Hjorth and Anna Nordqvist, boosted by eagles at the second and 15th, produced sparkling golf to beat Kristy McPherson and Brittany Lincicome 3&2 after never trailing.
"We were playing really solid and just waiting for the putts to drop," said Cup rookie Nordqvist, who chipped in from greenside rough to birdie the par-three 13th.
ROUSING START
Britain's Becky Brewerton and Gwladys Nocera of France made a rousing birdie-birdie start en route to a 3&1 victory over Angela Stanford and Nicole Castrale.
In the bottom match, Creamer and Juli Inkster beat Scottish duo Catriona Matthew and Janice Moodie 2&1, Creamer sealing the win by sinking a 20-foot par putt at the 17th.
"I love playing with Juli," world number four Creamer said. "We have a great chemistry together on the golf course. We know each other.
"We need to talk to each other and when we need to pump each other up, we just have that good connection. We went out, we played good, we got up early and we just stayed there."
Victory made the 49-year-old Inkster the leading U.S. points scorer of all time in the Solheim Cup with a career tally of 17-1/2.
The Americans rode a surge of late momentum to lead Europe by 2-½ points to 1-½ after playing the morning fourball matches in blustery conditions.
Lincicome and Brittany Lang drew first blood by crushing British duo Laura Davies and Brewerton 5&4.
Cristie Kerr and Creamer came from one down after 13 holes to win a tight battle with world number six Pettersen and Gustafson one up, while Morgan Pressel and Cup rookie Michelle Wie fought back to halve their match with in-form Briton Matthew and Hjorth on the 18th green.
Europe's first point came from Swede Helen Alfredsson and Spanish rookie Tania Elosegui, who rallied from one down after seven holes to beat Stanford and Inkster one up.
Europe, who have lost the last two Solheim Cup matches, are bidding to win for the first time on American soil.
The U.S. lead the series 7-3.
