No rally for Americans this time in Solheim Cup

LODDEKOPINGE, Sweden -- Annika Sorenstam and Suzann Pettersen denied the Americans another rally, each making birdies on the final two holes Saturday for a 1-up better-ball victory that gave Europe a three-point lead entering the final round.

Sorenstam and Pettersen's win gave the Europeans a split of the better-ball matches, and because they again dominated in the alternate-shot matches in the morning, they take a 9 1/2-6 1/2 lead with 12 singles matches Sunday.

Juli Inkster and Beth Daniel blasted Mhairi McKay and Anna Belen-Sanchez, 5 and 4, the biggest rout of this Solheim Cup; Kelli Kuehne and Cristie Kerr won 2 and 1 over Laura Davies and Sophie Gustafson; and Janice Moodie and Catriona Matthew, the Scottish tandem, never trailed in a 4 and 3 victory over Rosie Jones and Wendy Ward.

In alternate-shot, Robbins and Meg Mallon earned a halve over Moodie and Matthew; Michele Redman and Angela Stanford also earned a halve over Elisabeth Esterl and Iben Tinning.

But the others were a rout -- Gustafson and Petterson over Kuehne and Kerr, 3 and 1; and Sorenstam and Koch over Ward and Bowie, 3 and 2.

John Deere Classic: The third round at Silvis, Ill., was postponed by rain, and tournament officials hope to complete the event by playing 36 holes today.

Lancome Trophy:Retief Goosen shot an inconsistent 3-under-par 68 but held a three-stroke lead after three rounds at Saint-Nom-La-Breteche,France.

Energy Classic: Jim Dent moved into contention in the Champions Tour event by nearly shooting his age at Hunt Valley,Md. Dent, 64, fired a 65 on a rainy Saturday at Hayfields Country Club, leaving him at 6 under for the tournament.

-- From wire reports