The United States took a 4 1/2-3 1/2 lead into the second day. Sherri Steinhauer and Laura Diaz were even with Maria Hjorth and Gwladys Nocera through three holes and three other matches were also all-square in the very early stages.

The sun was out, but winds were gusting up to 40 mph when play finally began at Halmstad Golf Club. Tournament officials were hoping to get the alternate-shot matches finished and at least get a good start on the afternoon better-ball contests. They said those could be finished early Sunday before singles, and didn't rule out returning Monday to complete the event.

"We would expect to have a full day on Sunday so one would hope we can catch up," said Mark Casey, the European Solheim Cup director.

Casey said fences and signs were toppled when he arrived at the course at dawn. When players began practicing, balls were oscillating and changing direction on the putting greens and some balls were being blown off tees on the practice range.

The forecast called for winds to diminish as the weekend progressed and a low pressure system moved out of the North Sea and past Sweden. Tournament director Andy Lott said officials would be with players in all the matches and would suspend action if conditions became unplayable.