CATRIONA Matthew helped Europe get off to a strong start in their quest to regain the Solheim Cup from the United States in Iowa yesterday.

Assistant captain Matthew was only brought into the side to replace the injured Suzann Pettersen on Thursday, but took to the task well alongside France’s Karine Icher in the foursomes.

The Scot, 47, was playing the fourth match at Des Moines Golf and Country Club and the European pair won on the last hole against Stacy Lewis and Gerina Piller.

Their victory, on a scrappy morning of play in West Des Moines, handed Europe a lead of 2 1/2 to 1 1/2 heading into the afternoon four-balls as they seek to win back the trophy lost in Germany in 2015.

Earlier, Melissa Reid and Charley Hull were forced to halve the opening match against Cristie Kerr and Lexi Thompson after the American pair picked up birdies on the final two holes.

The English duo were two shots clear after the 13th hole but the resilient Kerr kept her cool to sink a decisive birdie putt on the 18th.

First-time American team member Danielle Kang, playing alongside Lizette Salas, then claimed victory in the second match on the last against Carlota Ciganda and Caroline Masson.

Fellow Solheim Cup rookie Georgia Hall, of England, and the experienced Anna Nordqvist were clinical in beating Austin Ernst and Paula Creamer 3&1.

Hull and Melissa Reid were set to lead Team Europe out in match one against Cristie Kerr and Lexi Thompson of the United States.

Match two saw Carlota Ciganda and Caroline Masson paired up against American duo Danielle King and Lizette Salas.

Nordqvist and Georgia Hall were to take on Paula Creamer and Austin Ernst in match three, and Matthew and Karine Icher represented Europe against Stacy Lewis and Gerina Piller in match four.

Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy will try to defend his FedEx Cup title after deciding against sitting out the rest of the season to rest a rib injury.

Speaking after a tie for 22nd in the US PGA Championship on Sunday which completed a third successive year without a major title, McIlroy said he was in two minds about competing again in 2017.

‘’I don’t know what I’m going to do,’’ McIlroy, who has played just 13 events this season, said after a closing 68 at Quail Hollow. ‘’You might not see me until next year. You might see me in a couple of weeks’ time.”

After seeking the advice of a sports scientist, McIlroy chose the latter option and posted a link on Twitter last night to a competition to win the chance to play with him during the pro-am ahead of the BMW Championship in September.

And his manager confirmed that McIlroy intends to contest the play-offs and try to win the FedEx Cup title for the second year in a row.

The 28-year-old admitted he already had one eye on next April’s Masters, which he needs to win to complete the career grand slam.

‘’I feel like I’m capable of playing well enough to give myself a chance in it,’’ McIlroy said of the FedEx Cup. ‘’At the same time, April is a long way away. That’s the next big thing on my radar.”