Lilia Vu, Kristen Gillman lead US to 4-2 lead in Curtis Cup

SCARSDALE, N.Y. — Lilia Vu and Kristen Gillman led the United States to a 4-2 lead over Britain and Ireland in the Curtis Cup on Friday at Quaker Ridge.

Vu and Gillman beat Alice Hewson and Lily May Humphreys 4 and 3 in the morning four-ball matches, then joined other partners in the afternoon foursomes for two more victories. Vu and Jennifer Kupcho edged Hewson and India Clyburn 2 up; and Gillman and Alabama teammate Lauren Stephenson beat Paula Grant and Humphreys 4 and 2.

"We know each other's games really well and have similar games," Stephenson said about Gillman. "We hit a lot of fairways, a lot of greens and give ourselves a lot of chances. That makes us a very successful team in alternate shot. We only had one bogey and it was a three-putt."

Olivia Mehaffey and Sophie Lamb earned 1 1/2 points for Britain and Ireland. They halved with Kupcho and 15-year-old Lucy Li in the morning, and beat Mariel Galdiano and Andrea Lee 3 and 2.

Also in the morning, Stephenson and Sophia Schubert halved with Grant and Shannon McWilliam.

The U.S. leads the series 28-8-3. It is trying to regain the cup after falling 11 1/2-8 1/2 in 2016 at Dun Laoghaire in Ireland.

"I look at what's going to be my best pairings to bring three points," Britain and Ireland captain Elaine Farquharson-Black said. "I kind of look at each series individually. The target is to win three. It will be the same tomorrow."

After another day of four-ball and foursomes matches, the event will close Sunday with singles.