History went against the GB & I team losing the morning Foursomes on day three of the Seve Trophy.

Europe triumphed in the session winning 2 1/2 to 1 1/2 in superb sunny conditions on the St. Nom-la-Breteche course on the outskirts of Versailles.

Joost Luiten hitting off the ninth hole on day three of the Seve Trophy. (Photo – www.europeantour.com)

It is the first time in the 13-year history of the event GB & I has lost a Saturday Foursomes session.

Europe’s domination of the morning round has seen Jose Maria Olazabal’s side move two points clear of Sam Torrance’s GB & I to lead 8 points to 6.

Italian Matteo Manassero delivered Europe the win in the final match after England’s Tommy Fleetwood just failed to hole a chip shot that would have squared the match.  Manassero then had two putts to deliver Europe a 1 up win.

Olazabal responded saying:  “It feels good.  We knew it was an important day today.

“But then both teams are pretty level and we saw that in the first match and we saw that in the last match this morning, also.

“There’s still another session to be played this afternoon, so we will see what happens.”

Torrance remarked:  “It was a tough session as they came back well at the end this time, and we didn’t.  But two points behind, that’s okay.  We were two points behind after the first session, so now only two points behind.

“But we need a 3 – 1 win this afternoon that would be fantastic, and that would make it level going into the Singles.”