KILLENARD, Ireland (AP) — French team-mates Raphael Jacquelin and Gregory Havret led Continental Europe to a 3-2 lead over Britain and Ireland after the first fourball matches at the Seve Trophy yesterday.

Jacquelin and Havret beat Paul Casey and Simon Dyson four and three at The Heritage.

"It was a great day for golf," Europe captain and tournament namesake Seve Ballesteros said. "It was top-class golf. I was not surprised by the quality because I expected it. They are all great champions."

Swedish players Robert Karlsson and Peter Hanson also won, beating Colin Montgomerie and Marc Warren three and one, while Markus Brier of Austria and Mikko Ilonen of Finland downed Justin Rose and Oliver Wilson three and two.

Britain and Ireland got points from Bradley Dredge and Phillip Archer, and Nick Dougherty and Graeme Storm.

Dredge and Archer beat Miguel Angel Jimenez and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano 2 and 1, while Dougherty and Storm defeated Thomas Bjorn and Soren Hansen on Storm's 20-foot putt at the 18th.

"It was impressive golf," Britain and Ireland captain Nick Faldo said. "The teams have locked horns already. We're trailing but I'm delighted we're off and running."

Faldo split two of his pairings for today's fourball matches. Casey will play with Rose, and Dyson and Wilson play together.

Britain and Ireland have won three of the four Seve Trophy tournaments, with the Continentals claiming the first one.