Buoyed by a furious back-nine comeback from Anthony Kim and Brian Harman, the United States of America grabbed a 2? -1? advantage over Great Britain and Ireland after the four Saturday morning foursomes matches of the 40th Walker Cup Match being held at Chicago Golf Club. Former Kentucky All-American John Holmes defeated Gary Wolstenholme in his first and only match of the day to help the USA earn its lead. The USA holds a 6 ? – 5 ? lead after the first day of play.

This is the first time the USA has owned a lead after the Saturday foursomes matches since 1997 at Quaker Ridge when the Americans won all four matches en route to an 18-6 victory. That also is the last time the USA defeated GB&I, winners of the last three Matches.

Holmes recorded seven birdies en route to the one-up victory over Wolstenholme. The Campbellsville, Ky., native twice took a two-stroke lead, but Wolstenholme evened the score at all square with two holes to play. Holmes tallied his seventh birdie of the afternoon on 17 and both players parred the final hole as Holmes held on for the one-stroke win.

The prestigious Walker Cup wraps up on Sunday.