Great Britain and Ireland jumped out to a 2.5-to-1.5 lead in the 44th Walker Cup matches at National Golf Links of America in Southampton, NY.

The team from Europe led in three of four matches at one point, but the U.S. team was able to right the ship to avoid the kind of disheartening session that loses competitions.

Approach to the 16th at NGLA

Eight of 10 players from each side were in action on Saturday morning in the alternate-shot (foursomes) format. Max Homa and Michael Kim sat out for the Americans, while the defending-champion GB&I side rested Callum Shinkwin and Jordan Smith.

Match one saw the U.S. pair of Bobby Wyatt and Cory Whitsett go one-down on six occasions to Nathan Kimsey and Max Orrin, yet find a way to birdie the final hole to halve the match. In the second match of the morning session, Nathan Smith and Jordan Niebrugge found themselves two down with three to play, won Nos. 16 and 17, yet lost a heartbreaker when they failed to birdie the 18th hole. Matthew Fitzpatrick and Neil Raymond secured a point for GB&I when they signed for a four on the par-five closer.

Smith and Niebrugge birdie sixteen

In the penultimate match of the morning, Michael Weaver and Todd White were schooled in the art of birdies by Garrick Porteous and Rhys Pugh. The European pair birdied seven of the seventeen holes played to secure a three-and-one victory over the American pair. When things were looking bleak for the host side, the powerhouse pair of Justin Thomas and Patrick Rodgers birdied No. 17 to win 2-up and bring Team USA its first full point.

Justin Thomas from fairway bunker on 17 to two feet

In the afternoon singles, mid-amateurs Nathan Smith and Todd White will sit out for the U.S. side while Kevin Phelan and Rhys Pugh hit the showers for the GB&I ten. Eight points will be contested as the first day of competition draws to a close.