EMILY PEDERSEN’S historic hole-in-one led Europe’s response to the USA’s best ever start in the Solheim Cup.

And after the Great Dane notched only the second ace in the tournament’s history, super Swede Linn Grant almost repeated the feat.

Yet the Americans had earlier mocked their status as underdogs by winning all the foursomes to lead 4-0 at at Finca Cortes in in southern Spain.

Pedersen stirred up the fightback by holing her first shot at the 178-yard par-three 12th hole in the afternoon fourballs..

She was partnering Maja Stark against Jennifer Kupucho and Allisen Corpus – and in fact the Euro duo still trailed in that tight contest.

Grant then came up just inches short as Europe competed keenly.

The USA are desperate to avoid three straight Solheim Cup defeats for the firsr time ever.

And that hunger helped spark their domination of the morning foursomes.

Ally Ewing and Cheyenne Knight thrashed Charley Hull and Emily Pedersen 5 and 4 before tighter finishes in all three other pairings.

Lexi Thompson and Megan Khang beat Swedish rookies Maja Stark and Linn Grant 2 and 1. 

Andrea Lee and Danielle Kang fought back to win 1 up against Celine Boutier and Georgia Hall.

And US Women´s Open champion Allisen Corpuz short-putted on the last hole to nick a 1-up triumph with Nelly Korda over Leona Maguire and Anna Nordqvist.

But Pedersen’s ace in the fourballs lifted the spirit amongst her team and fans – who raved about her action.

“The most beautiful swing,” said one viewer, with others labelling her shot “crazy” and “incredible”.

A fourth posted: “Nice ace, but wow what a swing. Absolute butter.”

A fifth added: “Sweet strike that, effortless swing.”

Europe were well placed to cut the heavy deficit – but it’s still likely to be the USA’s day overall.