WEYMOUTH golfer Jon Bevan and George Ryall combined majestically in the afternoon foursomes as Great Britain & Ireland took a 4-3 first-day lead over America in the PGA Cup at The Oconee Course in Georgia.

Ryall (The Player's Club, Bristol) produced a stunning chip shot to within two feet of the hole on the 18th leaving Bevan (Wessex Golf Centre, Dorset) with a simple tap-in to secure a 1UP victory over Lee Rinker and Chris Starkjohann in the final game of the foursomes.

Ryall said: "It's a massive lift to the guys to go in front and it's not going to do anyone any harm. I think we've got a pretty strong team and we're confident we can compete."

Earlier, an exciting morning of fourballs ended all square after ice-cool Bevan kept his nerve to halve the final match on the 18th.

The 40-year-old sank a four footer to claim a half for GB&I against the powerful US combo of Tim Thelen and Rinker.

"What a player, he never misses," said Bevan's partner Duncan Muscroft. "With a partner like that you can't fail."