US leads Europe by two after splitting fantastic fourballs

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky: The United States, desperate to end Europe's run of three Ryder Cup victories, emerged from a thrilling fourball battle on Saturday with a 9-7 lead heading into Sunday's singles matches.

The Americans will go into the final day of the trans-Atlantic match play show case with the lead for the first time since 1995, after splitting the fourball matches 2-2 - with one win for each team and two matches halved in a performance that promised final day fireworks.

The Americans had seen their first-day momentum wane as as Europe earned 2.5 points in Saturday morning's foursomes to the 1.5 of the hosts.