Teenage sensation Michelle Wie led from the front as the United States retained the Curtis Cup when they beat Great Britain and Ireland 10-8 in an enthralling match at Formby today.

IRELAND'S Curtis Cup rookie Claire Coughlan will have plenty to cope with today on the opening day of the event at Formby when she plays against American teen starlet Michelle Wie.

Michelle Wie, the 14-year-old sensation who came within a shot of making the halfway cut on the US Tour’s Sony Open last month, will become the youngest-ever player to compete in the Curtis Cup in June.