Europe built a one-point lead over the United States on the first day of the 12th Solheim Cup at Killeen Castle in Ireland.

SO far it’s been all cuddles at the Castle – this morning the Solheim Cup becomes more like the Ryder Cup’s famous War on the Shore.

“THIS is a warrior sport and we are warriors” — that’s how one American soldier explains his love of hurling, a passion shared by fellow members of a United States National Guard unit from Concord, New Hampshire.

NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS secured revenge over Connacht for an opening day Magners League thrashing in Galway this season by clinching a one-point victory at Rodney Parade.

ERIC ELWOOD had every reason to be “chuffed” about his side’s unexpected demolition of the Dragons on opening day.

THREE penalties from James Arlidge were enough to earn the Dragons a valuable Magners League victory in Edinburgh.

Sweden’s Sophie Gustafson led the Longs Drugs Challenge by two shots after shooting a first round total at 65 for seven under par on the Blackhawk Country Club course in Danville, California.

NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS got their Magners League season off to a flying start with a three-try victory over a poor Ulster at Rodney Parade.

Perpignan 23 Newport Gwent Dragons 19

England’s Laura Davies fired a course-record seven-under-par 65 in sunny conditions to take a one-stroke lead heading into the final round of the UNIQA Ladies Golf Open in Austria.

Two great escapes and a moment of huge relief today kept alive Europe’s hopes of winning back the Solheim Cup in Sweden.

Two great escapes and a moment of huge relief today kept alive Europe’s hopes of winning back the Solheim Cup in Sweden.

For the first time since 1998 the United States lead Europe after the first day of the Solheim Cup – but not by anything like the margin they had hoped for at Halmstad in Sweden.

Holders America had the chance to pull well clear of Europe on the opening day of the Solheim Cup at Halmstad in Sweden.

Holders America made the start they were hoping for in the Solheim Cup in Sweden today – and Europe’s players had only themselves to blame for a large part of it.

Annika Sorenstam, Suzann Pettersen, Catriona Matthew and Sophie Gustafson have made the European Solheim Cup team as the top four Europeans on the Rolex World Rankings not already qualified from the European points’ standings.

Scotland’s Catriona Matthew claimed her fifth worldwide title with a three-stroke victory at the Scandinavian TPC Hosted by Annika.

World number one Annika Sorenstam suffered a shock exit at the halfway stage of the ADT Championship at Trump International in West Palm Beach in Florida today.

Annika Sorenstam struggled but nevertheless is in good shape in her quest for a sixth victory at the Samsung World Championship.

American Sherri Steinhauer rolled back the clock today when she shot a six under par 66 and took a two-shot lead after the third round of the Weetabix Women’s British Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes.

Swedes Annika Sorenstam and Sophie Gustafson kept the European flag flying as they advanced to today’s quarter-finals of the HSBC Women’s World Matchplay Championship at Hamilton Golf Club in Gladstone, New Jersey.

JEONG JANG became the fourth South Korean to win a women’s major yesterday when she held off a challenge from former champion Sophie Gustafson with a final round 69 in the Weetabix Women’s British Open at Royal Birkdale.

SOUTH KOREA’S Jeong Jang shot an amazing 68 to lead the field after the first round of the Weetabix Women’s British Open at Royal Birkdale, ruined by cold, wind and rain.

EUROPE’S women golfers brilliantly won back the Solheim Cup in Sweden yesterday - and wasted little time doing it.

Scottish pair Janice Moodie and Catriona Matthew, winning Curtis Cup team-mates nine years ago, took Europe nearer a third Solheim Cup victory in Sweden this evening.

MOTHER-TO-BE Patricia Meunier-Lebouc and Suzann Pettersen, the baby of the team, kept Europe in front after day one of the Solheim Cup match in Sweden yesterday.

Mother-to-be Patricia Meunier-Lebouc and Suzann Pettersen, the baby of the team, kept Europe in front after day one of the Solheim Cup match in Sweden today.

SOPHIE GUSTAFSON produced one of the most dramatic finishes of the year to win the BT Ladies Open at the Warrenpoint club in Northern Ireland.

Sweden’s Sophie Gustafson is on course for an Irish double by taking the first round lead at the BT Ladies Open at Warrenpoint GC in Co Down.

HORACIO CARBONETTI became the first Argentinian to win on the European Seniors Tour when he closed with a one-under-par 69 to win the Bad Ragaz PGA Seniors Open in Switzerland.

Sweden's Sophie Gustafson doubled her overnight lead to four shots after a fine 70 in the third round of the LPGA Subaru Memorial of Naples in Florida.