SAINT-NOM-LA-BRETECHE, France (AP) — Britain and Ireland struck another blow to Continental Europe in the Vivendi Trophy on Saturday, extending its lead to 9-5 in the European Tour matchplay event.
Captained by three-time Ryder Cup winner Paul McGinley, Britain and Ireland won three of the four greensomes - where both players drive and hit alternate shots with the preferred tee shot.
Robert Rock and Nick Dougherty gave Britain and Ireland its first point of the day with a 5 and 4 win over Robert Karlsson and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano. Karlsson has just recovered from an eye problem that has sidelined him since May.
Northern Ireland pair Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy rallied from 2 down after eight holes to beat Henrik Stenson and Peter Hanson 2 and 1.
Ross Fisher and Chris Wood gave McGinley's team a five-point lead by staying a shot up over Anders Hansen and Francesco Molinari.
Europe's Miguel-Angel Jimenez and Alvaro Quiros birdied the last hole to give the first loss on Simon Dyson and Oliver Wilson.
Four foursomes are slated on Saturday afternoon before Sunday's 10 singles matches at the Saint-Nom-la-Breteche Golf Club on the outskirts of Paris.
The Vivendi Trophy, formerly known as the Seve Trophy after Seve Ballesteros, was created in 2000. Europe won the inaugural event before Britain and Ireland won it four consecutive times.
