If Great Britain & Ireland are to reclaim the Llandudno Trophy they will have to do it the hard way after the United States seized the initiative in the 24th PGA Cup on the banks of the Loch Lomond.
The US team signalled their intention to hang on to the famous old trophy by sweeping the morning foursomes 3-1 and then stifling out a GB&I fightback in the afternoon to close out the fourballs by the same tally.
It leaves Brian Whitcomb's team with a 6-2 lead going into the Saturday fourballs and foursomes - nearly halfway to the 13 points they need to retain the trophy.
However GB&I captain Gary Alliss insisted it was a bit early to be writing off his team's hopes just yet.
"It's early days, it's not quite at the Fat Lady singing time yet and there is time for us to turn it round," he said.
"Last time in the US we had a very good start, not quite as good as the US today, but then they clawed us back on the second day and we can do the same.
"I'd love us to have the score in our favour but although the players are disappointed they are not down and out and beaten at all and are very much up for it."
The bright spots for GB&I were point winners Jon Bevan and Will Barnes in the morning foursomes who defeated Ryan Benzel and Lee Rinker 4&2 while Welsh duo James Lee (Caerphilly) and Andrew Barnett (North Wales Driving Range) also posted some blue on the leaderboard by beating Mike Small and Mark Sheftic 4&3 in the fourballs.