The Concentration - Azahara Muñoz

Azahara Munoz of Europe tees off on the 9th hole during the afternoon fourballs on day two of the 2011 Solheim Cup at Killeen Castle Golf Club on September 24, 2011 in Dunshaughlin, County Meath, Ireland. (September 23, 2011 - Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images Europe)

Captain Nicholas to Stand Down

Alison Nicholas insists she plans to stand aside as captain following Europe's memorable Solheim Cup triumph over America on Sunday and revealed a pep talk from Suzann Pettersen had played a crucial part in the triumph.

In a thrilling climax at Killeen Castle, Europe produced a sensational late charge in the singles matches to snatch a 15-13 victory over their US counterparts.

Pettersen led the way as she birdied the final three holes of her match with Michelle Wie to clinch an unlikely point while rookie Caroline Hedwall fought back from two down against Ryann O'Toole to secure a vital half.

Fellow rookie Azahara Munoz then got Europe over the line as she held her nerve to edge out Angela Stanford sparking wild celebrations in County Meath as Europe ended a run of three successive defeats in the event.

Nicholas was full of praise for the trio and disclosed that Pettersen had rallied the troops ahead of the dramatic finale.

Pep talk

"We had some rain delays and we were in the clubhouse, and when they were taking the players back out to their positions to restart the three of them (Pettersen, Hedwall and Munoz) shared a cart and they had a pep talk with one another and they said 'come on, we need our points'," she explained to Sky Sports News.

"Suzann initiated that and her leadership, and the fact the rookies took it on board, was the perfect scenario."

But Nicholas was full of praise for her entire team, adding: "We went out on won it, we won the singles fair and square and that is something I've always believed we can do, we've just lacked a bit of belief in ourselves to actually take them on head to head.

"But now I think they can go forward and I think we should look to two years' time and see if we can win it in America for the first time."

However, the diminutive 49-year-old insisted she would not be leading the team at the 2013 match in Colorado.

"No, I've done my time," she smiled. "I'm very happy and I need to hand the baton on. It's important that other players deserve that opportunity and honour."

Pettersen praise

Pettersen was quick to pay tribute to the European skipper, labelling her an inspiration to the players.

"She (Nicholas) can leave now, she's got her win," the Norwegian stated. "I've known Ally for a while, last time we came close and this time she wanted it desperately.

"She's great; she's tiny but she's fiery. She has guts and she'll do what she thinks is right for the team and sometimes that's making hard calls which is not always a pleasant thing to do but she can do it and she stands up for herself.

"She's a great leader and a great inspiration for the rest of us."

Pettersen also revealed the celebrations following the triumph stretched long into the night, adding: "It's sad it's over because it's so much fun and it was a great party last night. You can't ask for any better, especially here in Ireland in front of all the crowds.

"It's amazing, it was almost an impossible challenge and we pulled it off so it's definitely one of the best ones I've ever been a part of."

Team Europe win Solheim Cup

The European team celebrate with the trophy following their 15-13 victory during the singles matches on day three of the 2011 Solheim Cup at Killeen Castle Golf Club on September 25, 2011 in Dunshaughlin, County Meath, Ireland. (September 24, 2011 - Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images Europe)

Stunning European Solheim Victory

Stunning, dramatic and, finally, a day of celebration for the European team at The Solheim Cup at Killeen Castle in Ireland.

Following rain delays, lightning threats and the shock withdrawal of Cristie Kerr due to injury before the start of her match, Europe finally regained the Solheim Cup in thrilling fashion with the narrowest of 15-13 victories over the USA.

It all came down to the last three singles matches and a dramatic final half hour. The scoreboard was favouring the USA, but the pendulum swung firmly in Europe’s favour.

Azahara Munoz had the honour of clinching the vital point in the final match with a one hole win over Angela Stanford.

In the second last singles, Caroline Hedwall, two down two to play against Ryann O’Toole, won the last two holes for a vital half point.

Suzann Pettersen had started the great fightback. One down with three to play against Michelle Wie, she pulled out a final-hole win.

The world No.2 birdied the final three holes, holing from eight feet at the last. It was a first ever Solheim singles win for the 30-year-old Norwegian, and the perfect time to achieve it.

For Alison Nicholas’s European team the 7-5 singles score meant it was a fourth win from 12 contests, and they will go to Colorado Golf Club in two years’ time hoping to win in the USA for a first time.

Tied 8-all overnight, Europe received an early free point when Cristie Kerr was forced to withdraw from the final singles against Karen Stupples with an injured wrist.

Out on the course, Catriona Matthew gave Europe a great lead with a 6 and 5 victory over the USA talisman, Paula Creamer, in the top singles and Sophie Gustafson added a second point for the home side with a final green win over Stacy Lewis.

For Gustafson, it was four wins out of four and she was Europe’s top point scorer. Matthew was also unbeaten and contributed a healthy three points.

Brittany Lang claimed the first point for the USA with a 6 and 5 margin over Sandra Gal and Morgan Pressel made sure of four wins for her USA side with a great comeback against Anna Nordqvist.

The American was two down after eight holes but, following a short rain delay, she came back and won five holes in a row and went on to win by 2 and 1.

The much-awaited singles between 51-year-old Juli Inkster, the oldest ever Solheim player, and 47-year-old Laura Davies, the only one to play in all 12 contests, came down to the last hole.

Davies, with the backing of the majority of the 28,000 final day audience, was one up playing the par four 18th and both players bunkered their second shots.

But Inkster nearly holed her third from 30 yards, while the English woman failed to make a ten foot par putt. The match ended all square and it was a half point for the visitors. 

Christina Kim comfortably defeated Maria Hjorth before two rookies both finally won their first Solheim Cup points. American Vicky Hurst beat Melissa Reid by two holes and Europe’s Christel Boeljon overcame Brittany Lincicome by the same margin.

With the score tied at 12 ½- 12 ½ it was then left for Europe’s final trio to compete the drama: and what a finale it was!

DAY THREE RESULTS – Sunday 25th September Singles (Europe names first)

Catriona Matthew beat Paula Creamer by 6 and 5

Sophie Gustafson beat Stacy Lewis by 2 holes

Anna Nordqvist lost to Morgan Pressel by 2 and 1

Laura Davies halved with Juli Inkster

Melissa Reid lost to Vicky Hurst by 2 holes

Christel Boeljon beat Brittany Lincicome by 2 holes

Sandra Gal lost to Brittany Lang by 6 and 5

Maria Hjorth lost to Christina Kim by 4 and 2

Suzann Pettersen beat Michelle Wie by 1 hole

Caroline Hedwall halved with Ryann O’Toole

Azahara Muñoz beat Angela Stanford by 1 hole

Karen Stupples won over Cristie Kerr *

*Due to injury Kerr conceded the match to Stupples and Europe were awarded the point

Europe 7 USA 5

Overall score: Europe 15 USA 13

Rookie Wins Solheim for Europe

Sweden’s Caroline Hedwall was an amateur a matter of months ago but now as a proud member of the Ladies European Tour she wrote her name into the record books when she won the half point that secured a 15-13 victory for Europe over America in the 12thSolheim Cup at Killeen Castle in Co. Meath, Ireland.

Hedwall spent much of her singles trailing her opponent, rookie Ryann O’Toole, but came good when it mattered most, calmly securing a run of par figures as the tension reached fever pitch. Her victory, achieved when O’Toole failed to secure par on the last, gave Europe its first victory since 2003 and just its fourth in a series inaugurated back in 1992.

European captain, Alison Nicholas described the victory as “the finest moment of her career” and few among the exultant crowd that surrounded the final green disagreed. It was a momentous occasion, achieved against a strong and resilient US side that lost its talisman, Cristie Kerr, to injury before the start, but never stopped battling right to the very end.

At the top end of the draw, Scotland’s Catriona Matthew gave Europe a great start when she defeated Paula Creamer 6&5. It was the 2009 Ricoh Women’s British Open champion’s fifth successive victory in Solheim Cup singles.

Sweden’s Sophie Gustafson also produced a point, defeating Stacy Lewis by 2 holes but Morgan Pressel and Brittany Lang both put valuable points on the board for the American team with victories over Anna Nordqvist and Sandra Gal.

The battle of the veterans ended all square after England’s Laura Davies failed to match Juli Inkster’s par four on the 381-yard par-4 18th hole. That half point extended the American’s record for Most Points Scored in the Singles to seven points or one more than her opponent in today’s singles match.

Christina Kim won her third singles in three Solheim Cup appearances when she defeated Sweden’s Maria Hjorth by 4 & 2. Prior to this year’s match in Ireland Kim had also beaten Ludivine Kreutz by 5&4 in 2005 and Tania Elosegui by 2 holes in 2009.

Vicky Hurst added to her country’s tally when she recorded her first point of the week with a 2 hole victory over England’s Mel Reid in what was an all-rookie contest. At that stage the Americans took the lead for the first time during the final afternoon at 12 ½ - 11 ½.

Dutch rookie Christel Boeljon restored parity at 12 ½ - 12 ½ when she defeated the big-hitting Brittany Lincicome by 2 holes and Norway’s Suzann Pettersen then brought Europe to within one point of victory with a colossal birdie on the last hole against Michelle Wie.

At that stage, with the match standing at 13 ½ - 12 ½ in favour of the Europeans, there were two matches left on the course. Caroline Hedwall was one down playing the last against Ryann O’Toole, while Azahara Munoz was tied with Angela Stanford playing the 17th hole.

Munoz was the first to strike, securing a birdie three to give her a one hole lead playing the last against Stanford. Hedwall then won the last to halve the match before the final score was confirmed as 15-13 when Azahara Munoz defeated Angela Stanford by one hole. Both putts were conceded on the 18th green.

The day was plagued by poor weather almost from the outset. A combination of torrential rain and the threat of lightning resulted in three postponements to play and in the end the winning putt did not drop until after 18.00 (BST).

The drama began even before play started when Cristie Kerr was forced to pull out suffering from a wrist injury. Under the terms of the Captain’s Agreement signed by both Alison Nicholas and Rosie Jones the Americans had to concede Kerr’s singles match against Karen Stupples and the point was awarded to the European team.

Laura Davies Sets Solheim Record

Laura Davies set a new Solheim Cup points record, but the momentum swung towards the USA after the second day fourballs at the Solheim Cup at Killeen Castle in Ireland. One point down overnight and trailing 5-7 after the morning foursomes, the holders won the fourballs 3-1 to level the score at 8-all.

Davies had done her best to set Europe on the right road when she claimed the top match by a comfortable 4 and 3 margin in the company of Melissa Reid. The victims were two of the best in Michelle Wie and Brittany Lang.

The only player to compete in all 12 Solheims, 47-year-old Davies was relieved as well as delighted to reach the 24 ½ points she needed to overtake Annika Sorenstam as the all-time record holder.

“To be honest, it was a bit embarrassing not to have the most points when I’ve played in every match,” said England’s ever-honest 47-year-old. “So it’s great to have made it. It’s cleared the pressure and now I can relax a bit more without that extra edge in the singles.”

With four birdies in a row from the third, Davies’ all-English side was four up at the turn.

Reid then made her own contribution with an eight foot eagle putt at the long 12th. For the 24-year-old rookie – who had suffered two heartbreaking final green defeats on day one – it was a first Solheim point.

The closest match featured Cristie Kerr and Morgan Pressel against world No.2 Suzann Pettersen, and the new European star, Caroline Hedwall.

The USA were two up with four to play, but Hedwall made a winning birdie at the long 15th and Pettersen danced in delight by draining a 35-foot birdie at the short 16th. The crowd went mad.

But Pressel was having none of it – and she silenced the home fans by ramming in an eight foot birdie putt to win the 17th. They held on for the one-hole victory.

Paula Creamer, who is set to play in all five matches, retained her week’s unbeaten record with a 3 and 1 win over Maria Hjorth and Azahara Munoz in the final fourball alongside Brittany Lincicome.

“We are all so pumped up and it is great to be back tied,” said Creamer. “It was nice to see some red on the board and we are ready for tomorrow.”

Rookie Stacy Lewis claimed her first point alongside Ryann O’Toole, who has more than proved her point. She was a controversial Captain’s wild card selection and was in poor form coming into the event.

The 2 and 1 win over Sandra Gal and Christel Boeljon made it 2 ½ points for O’Toole from three outings. The score was also 8-all at the same stage at Rich Harvest farms in Illinois two years ago and America went on to win 16-12.

Europe has only won the singles three times, but the wise Davies had some words of advice for herself the rest of Alison Nicholas’s troops.

“We’ve messed up so many time on the final day,” she said. The key is not to look at the scoreboard. I’m usually looking at leaderboard but I think sometimes we see blue and then start thinking too much.

“Keep the head down and just try and win your own point. That’s what we all have to do.” 

DAY TWO RESULTS – Saturday 24th September

Fourballs (Europe names first)

Laura Davies and Melissa Reid beat Brittany Lang and Michelle Wie by 4 and 3

Suzann Pettersen and Caroline Hedwall lost to Morgan Pressel and Cristie Kerr one hole

Sandra Gal and Christel Boeljon lost to Stacy Lewis and Ryann O’Toole 2 and 1

Maria Hjorth and Azahara Muñoz lost to Paula Creamer and Brittany Lincicome 3 and 1

Europe 1 USA 3

Overall score: Europe 8 USA 8

Singles draw (Europe names first) 

10:10 Catriona Matthew v Paula Creamer

10:20 Sophie Gustafson v Stacy Lewis

10:30 Anna Nordqvist v Morgan Pressel

10:40 Laura Davies v Juli Inkster

10:50 Melissa Reid v Vicky Hurst

11:00 Christel Boeljon v Brittany Lincicome

11:10 Sandra Gal v Brittany Lang

11:20 Maria Hjorth v Christina Kim

11:30 Suzann Pettersen v Michelle Wie

11:40 Caroline Hedwall v Ryann O’Toole

11:50 Azahara Muñoz v Angela Stanford

12:00 Karen Stupples v Cristie Kerr

Europe Foursomes Clean Sweep

It was a clean sweep for the Swedes as Europe snatched a 2 ½ - 1 ½ victory in the second day foursomes and moved two points ahead in the bid to regain The Solheim Cup at Killeen Castle in Ireland.

Needing 14 ½ points for victory, the Europeans lead 7-5 with 16 points still to be decided. Still a long way to go, but Alison Nicholas’s team were in buoyant mood.

It’s been a dream Solheim debut for Caroline Hedwall, the ‘baby’ of the European team and a three-time winner in her first year as a professional.

She partnered Sophie Gustafson to a 5 and 4 win in the Friday fourballs and the Swedish duo again hit form to trounce Stacy Lewis and Angela Stanford 6 and 5 in the top foursome.

In the third match, another all-Swedish partnership of Anna Nordqvist and Maria Hjorth beat Brittany Lang and Juli Inkster 3 and 2.

Europe’s half point came in a thrilling bottom match. One down playing the last, Catriona Matthew and Azahara Munoz won the hole when Cristie Kerr bunkered the American’s approach shot and then failed to make the seven foot par putt.

“It’s so exciting it’s unbelievable,” said 22-year-old Hedwall, who has her twin sister, Jacqueline, as her caddie. “Sophie is so confident and calm and that makes me the same and she is so easy to play with.”

Jacqueline managed to get time off from her studies at Louisiana State University to be part of the European set-up this week – she intends trying to qualify for the Ladies’ European Tour at the 2012 qualifying school. 

“I love to caddie for my sister, especially this week,” she said. “The atmosphere and the fans are just awesome.”

RESULTS

DAY ONE RESULTS – Friday 23rd September

Foursomes (Europe names first):

Maria Hjorth and Anna Nordqvist lost to Michelle Wie and Cristie Kerr 2 and 1

Karen Stupples and Melissa Reid lost to Paula Creamer and Brittany Lincicome one

hole

Catriona Matthew and Azahara Munoz beat Stacy Lewis and Angela Stanford 3 and 2

Suzann Pettersen and Sophie Gustafson beat Brittany Lang and Juli Inkster one hole

Europe USA 2-2

Fourballs (Europe names first)

Laura Davies and Melissa Reid lost to Paula Creamer and Morgan Pressel one hole

Catriona Matthew and Sandra Gal halved with Christina Kim and Ryann O’Toole

Sophie Gustafson and Caroline Hedwall beat Vicky Hurst and Brittany Lincicome 5 and 4

Suzann Pettersen and Anna Nordqvist beat Cristie Kerr and Michelle Wie two holes

Europe 2 ½ USA 1 ½

Overall score: Europe 4 ½ USA 3 ½

DAY TWO RESULTS – Saturday 24th September

Foursomes (Europe names first):

Caroline Hedwall and Sophie Gustafson beat Angela Stanford and Stacy Lewis 6 and 5

Karen Stupples and Christel Boeljon lost to Morgan Pressel and Ryann O’Toole 3 and 2

Maria Hjorth and Anna Nordqvist beat Brittany Lang and Juki Inkster 3 and 2

Catriona Matthew and Azahara Munoz halved with Cristie Kerr and Paula Creamer

Europe 2 ½ USA 1 ½

Overall score: Europe 7 USA 5

Fourballs draw:

Laura Davies and Melissa Reid v Brittany Lang and Michelle Wie

Suzann Pettersen and Caroline Hedwall v Morgan Pressel and Cristie Kerr

Sandra Gal and Christel Boeljon v Stacy Lewis and Ryann O’Toole

Maria Hjorth and Azahara Munoz v Paula Creamer and Brittany Lincicome

Nicholas Selects Saturday Pairings

Team Europe skipper Alison Nicholas expressed her delight with Europe's 4.5-3.5 lead over the USA after the first day at The 2011 Soheim Cup.

"I'm really pleased. The players played with passion and a purpose I can only say well done to them. They absolutely entertained from start to finish, and I'm exhausted.

"We're a team. It's never about one individual. It's about matching those pairings and getting experienced players to play with rookies.

"All my players are up for it, and they're playing well. It was great but I love the European fans to scream a little bit more. 

"I do feel that they're a little bit shy, and I'd like them to really start being more vocal. I think, I don't know, it's maybe our nature in Europe and in this country to be a little bit shy, and I want them to come out of themselves and shout and scream for Europe a little bit more because I'm not hearing enough of that.

"This is a home match. So I want to encourage everyone to scream and shout for Europe and give us some more oomph in the voice. We need some decibels out there to cheer on the girls."

Saturday Foursomes Matches:

7.40am Caroline Hedwall and Sophie Gustafson vs Angela Stanford and Stacy Lewis.

7.52am Karen Stupples and Christel Boeljon vs Morgan Pressel and Ryann O'Toole 

8.04am Maria Hjorth and Anna Nordqvist vs Brittany Lang and Juli Inkster.

8.16am Catriona Matthew and Azahara Munoz vs Cristie Kerr and Paula Creamer

Pettersen and Nordqvist Earn Lead

Suzann Pettersen and Anna Nordqvist won 2-up on the last in their fourball tussle with Cristie Kerr and Michelle Wie to give Europe a slender and valuable one point lead after a thrilling opening day of the Solheim Cup.

It ensured Alison Nicholas' side emerged buoyant and ahead of Rosie Jones' gutsy USA, whose star performer Paula Creamer was unbeaten in her two matches.

So was Peterssen, who said: "Our goal is to win every day, and we won today. That's a good start and today only reinforces our belief we can win the Solheim Cup."

Naturally, it was a matchplay encounter that ebbed and flowed.

It was Creamer and Morgan Pressel who broke the hearts of Mel Reid and Laura Davies with a final hole victory after overturning a 2-down deficit.And Laura Davies, who sat out the morning session, said: "I think putting was the difference. We were great tee to green, just didn't make the putts. There’s nothing you can do when they start making theirs and they go right in the middle."

Debutant Reid added: "Golf's a cruel game sometimes. To have played both matches and to have lost on the last twice is gutting. But it’s the best we could have done."

Davies agreed but added: "The good thing is that the team is in a good position and that’s the most important thing. Hopefully it will go our way the rest of the day and I think it’s great we are ahead by a point."

Earlier on, the Swedish duo of Sophie Gustafson and rookie Caroline Hedwall thrashed Vicky Hurst and Brittany Lincicombe 5&4 to give Europe its first point of the Fourballs.

And Hedwall said: "Well, I think we have a good team, and I think Sophie and I make a good pair. I'm not surprised we won."

The Foursomes session had ended in a 2-2 tie, the first time the matches have been tied in the history of the Solheim Cup.

And it looked as though Catriona Matthew and Sandra Gal would add to Europe's point haul, only to be pegged back by some superb US putting from Ryan O'Toole and Christina Kim, who birdied 16 and 17 before a final hole putt-out failed to yield the decisive birdie.

Matthew said: "They birdied 16, 17, but, obviously, we were disappointed being 2‑up with three to go.

"But to make birdies on tricky holes like 16, there's not much you can do. I think Sandra played really well today, like she said, and I played not too badly on the front and kind of crumbled. And she helped me on the back."

German debutant Gal added: "No, I don't feel we lost the match. It was just a good game, good golf. And that's the result and we'll take it."

But the vital half point was added to by a full point when Suzann Pettersen and Anna Nordqvist, playing in the deepening gloom at Killeen Castle as night drew in, sealed their narrow win.

In the morning Foursomes, Pettersen gave Europe a huge boost by holing an eight foot birdie putt on the final hole to make it honours even after the opening series of foursomes at the Solheim Cup at Killeen Castle in Ireland.

Pettersen, the world No.2, and Sophie Gustafson had lost the 17th to stand all square in the bottom match against Juli Inkster and Brittany Lang but they pulled a full point out of the bag to make the score 2-all.

European Captain Alison Nicholas greeted the win with a jig of joy and Pettersen said: “It was great to hear the cheers ringing round the 18th. Sophie played a brilliant shot and then the putt was straight in the middle.”

She added: “It’s turned out well for us. That was a huge putt from Suzann on the last. She was going to make that and that’s what champions are made of.

“Foursomes is a tough game and you have to keep in there fighting and we did that. It did look like it was getting away from us at one stage, when America were ahead in 3 matches, but that was heart at its best.

“It’s been up and down and all about. We looked like we’d get the second match and a 3-1, the bottom match went all the way, but you have to expect the nips and tucks. It’s tight.

Suzann Pettersen said: “I had missed a few short putts to keep them in the match earlier on, but Sophie left me the easiest putt on the last with a great approach and my putt was right on the middle, so no, I wasn’t feeling too nervous over it! We played and dovetailed well today as a pair.

“It’s a great feeling to win our point. We did our job and we knew it was going to be a battle against Juli and Brittany. We know they will never give up and we kind of screwed up 17.

“We had got our noses in front but could never quite get away. But when Juli missed her birdie putt on the last I knew what I had to do.”

Sophie Gustafson said: “I think 2-2 is a pretty good job. It’s not easy. It’s hard to get your rhythm going in foursomes so our plan was to hit greens in regulation to make sure we had lots of putts each. It’s hard in the wind and sometimes you hit shots that don’t get rewarded. But we got the point in the end.”

But the USA team, bidding to win the trophy for the fourth year in a row, showed their own grit and determination with an unlikely win in the second match.

The all-English pair of Karen Stupples and Melissa Reid had looked to be in control against Paula Creamer and Brittany LIncicome when they stood two up with four holes to play.

But they lost the 15th to a birdie, the 17th to a par and then took six down the 18th after Stupples hit her drive into rough and then bunkered the third shot. 

It was a one hole victory for Creamer and Lincicome and one of the massive momentum swings that make the Solheim Cup such an absorbing spectacle.

“It’s obviously devastating for Karen and Mel to be 2up with 3 to play and lose it," said Nicholas.

"I’ve spoken to Karen Stupples and we’re looking forward. You can’t change the past. You have to put it behind you. We’re not dwelling on what might have been. Let’s move forwards.

“I am pleased with the way the rookies played. They were awesome. To me they aren’t rookies. This afternoon we want our 4-balls to put 2 balls on the fairways, 2 on the greens. That’s the best way to win the session.”

But there was a great point for Europe from the ever reliable Catriona Matthew and Spanish rookie Azahara Munoz. Never behind in the third match, the home duo were three up after five holes and went on to beat Stacy Lewis and Angela Stanford by a comfortable 3 and 2.

“It was my first Solheim so I didn’t really know what to expect, but it was really exciting,” said Munoz. “Catriona was an awesome partner. She keeps her emotions so calm.”

RESULTS

Foursomes (Europe names first):

Maria Hjorth and Anna Nordqvist lost to Michelle Wie and Cristie Kerr 2 and 1

Karen Stupples and Melissa Reid lost to Paula Creamer and Brittany Lincicome one 

hole

Catriona Matthew and Azahara Munoz beat Stacy Lewis and Angela Stanford 3 and 2

Suzann Pettersen and Sophie Gustafson beat Brittany Lang and Juli Inkster one 

hole

Europe USA 2-2

FOURBALL DRAW

Laura Davies and Melissa Reid lost 1 down to Morgan Pressel and Paula Creamer

Catriona Matthew and Sandra Gal halved with Christina Kim and Ryann O’Toole

Sophie Gustafson and Caroline Hedwall beat Vicky Hurst and Brittany Lincicome 5&4

Suzann Pettersen and Anna Nordqvist beat Cristie Kerr and Michelle Wie 2 up

Europe 4.5-3.5 USA

Nicholas Springs Early Surprise

The Solheim Cup´s opening foursome matches excite on the eve of the contest, after a glittering Opening Ceremony at Killeen Castle stokes the fever.

Alison Nicholas hopes she has found the recipe for success by mixing youth and experience in the opening series of foursomes as Europe bids to regain The Solheim Cup at Killeen Castle in Ireland.

The European Captain also managed to spring a surprise on her US counterpart, Rosie Jones, by sending Suzann Pettersen, the world No.2, out in the final pairing.

“I thought Suzann would be out first. You got me there. Strike one,” joked Jones.

The US lead 8-3 overall and both Captains are aware of how vital it is to get off to a good start and build momentum.

Nicholas, captaining Europe for a second time, has sent out the Swedish pair of Maria Hjorth and Anna Norqdvist in the first match of the opening foursomes and they will face Michelle Wie and Cristie Kerr.

An all-English pair of rookie Melissa Reid and Karen Stupples are in the second match against Paula Creamer and Brittany Lincicome, while Scotland’s Catriona Matthew, a six-time Solheim veteran, joins Spanish rookie Azahara Munoz in match three versus Stacy Lewis and Angela Stanford.

In the final foursomes, world No.2 Pettersen, the highest ranked player on show this week, and Sophie Gustafson, a four-time Irish Ladies’ Open Champion, face Brittany Lang and Juli Inkster, who becomes the oldest Solheim player at the age of 51.

“I think I have a good blend in my team and I am very happy with the way the draw has worked out,” said Nicholas, the 1997 US Women’s Open Champion. “Catriona, for instance, is a great leader and gets on so well with everyone. She has lots of experience and I think she will make a great pairing with Azahara. They are both steady players.”

Rosie Jones, the US Captain, has four of the world’s top ten in her side and she is relying on her big hitters after a week of heavy rain and cold, windy conditions.

“I’ve put Michelle and Cristie out first because they are both good leaders,” she said. “They have played a lot together and had success. I want them to get out there and put up a point.

“I’ve got heavy hitters in every match. I have a master plan and I’m going to stick to it as much as possible. But you have to wait and see how the matches go and maybe adjust.”

Nicholas added: “I agree. I have a plan but you have to watch what happens and be ready to change.”

After four days of intense preparation, gala dinners and opening ceremonies, both Captains agreed it was time for the talking to stop and the play to begin. They shared one prediction: it is going to be close.

Foursomes (Europe names first):

7.40am: Maria Hjorth and Anna Nordqvist v Michelle Wie and Cristie Kerr

7.52am: Karen Stupples and Melissa Reid v Paula Creamer and Brittany Lincicome

8.04am: Catriona Matthew and Azahara Munoz v Stacy Lewis and Angela Stanford

8.16am: Suzann Pettersen and Sophie Gustafson v Brittany Lang and Juli Inkster

Nicholas Now Ready for Solheim

“It’s been a long, winding road and now we’re just anxious to get started,” said Alison Nicholas.

Ever since her side lost 16-12 to the USA at Rich Harvest Farms in Illinois two years ago, Europe’s Solheim Cup Captain has been working towards this weekend.

The perfect culmination for her endeavours would be a European victory at Killeen Castle on Sunday. For the English woman who rocked the golfing world when she won the US Women’s Open back in 1997, it would be another amazing career highlight.

“We’ve got great strength in depth and it’s a very strong European team,” said Nicholas, who played in six Solheims and numbered the 1987 Women’s British Open among her 18 career victories.

“My girls have had nine wins around the world this year and we have nothing to fear. 

“The five rookies all have LPGA experience and I think it helps that this is my second time as Captain. I’ve got last time in the bank and there are a few small things that I can change.

“It was very close two years ago, we just didn’t hole enough putts. If we can play the same this week and get a little bit of luck then we can definitely win.”

She knows the USA are equally determined to try to stop her and Europe - no more so than Juli Inkster, who, at 51, is the oldest Solheim Cup player.

This time Inkster has a dual responsibility at Killeen Castle, as she is also an Assistant to Captain Rosie Jones. “I wouldn’t recommend it,” she joked.

But the wily veteran was keen to play down any assumption that her side are set for a runaway win in Ireland this weekend. 

“I think this is one of the strongest European teams,” she insisted. “They have five rookies, but they are all playing well. We’re going to have to go out and play like underdogs.

Jones was equally insistent that the world rankings – the US have seven players in the top 20 while Europe only has one in Suzann Pettersen – don’t tell the whole story. 

“We haven’t come here looking at rankings on paper,” said the eight-time Solheim player who had the honour of holing the winning putt at Interlachen in Minnesota in 2002.

“Both teams are equally strong and it’s always a disadvantage when you play overseas.”

There are several factors that support the home case. The weather – cold, rain and wind on the practice days – the support of a home crowd and the desperation to end a losing streak stretching back to 2003.

Two of the US key players are Cristie Kerr, the world No.3, and Paula Creamer, unbeaten in Solheim singles and making her fourth appearance at the age of 25. 

“I just love the Solheim, love matchplay and love playing for the US,” said Creamer. “This is my first time in Ireland and everyone has been so friendly. I can’t wait for the matches to start.”

Solheim Preview - Annika Sorenstam

The Solheim Cup comes to Killeen Castle this week and, I can tell you, us Europeans are already hoping for some Irish luck! 

 Major winners Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke all got their share this year, so hopefully it is now the ladies’ turn to succeed in what some people are calling the new home of golf!

We haven’t won the Cup since Barsebäck in 2003, but I do genuinely like our chances. Admittedly, there is a bit of a rankings gulf between the two sides, but you would be foolish to brand Europe underdogs. As with the Ryder Cup, playing at home is a huge advantage. Remember, America have only won on European soil twice (1996, 2007) since the tournament first began in 1990.

In Alison Nicholas, we have a tremendously experienced captain. She is taking charge for the second successive Cup and I know girls like Suzann Pettersen and Laura Davies, who played under her at Rich Harvest Farms, feel totally at ease with Alison at the helm.

Two years ago, our gutsy display won plenty of new friends in Illinois. We eventually fell to a slender 16-12 defeat, but Alison learnt some crucial lessons and is now confident (as we all are) of masterminding a memorable victory.

As her vice-captain, I really just do as I am told! For the past two years, I have been Alison’s eyes and ears in the States – scouting at LPGA events and generally passing on my two cents. Alison is a ferociously well organised captain but, of course, she can’t be everywhere and I guess that is where I come in.

With the Cup now fast approaching, and most of the logistical stuff out of the way, I am also starting to help with tactics. I haven’t got the main role by any means, but I do have eight Solheim Cups worth of experience to add to the mix and the ability to motivate a dressing room.

It has been very interesting to see how things work from outside of the ropes. The Solheim experience was very different as a player: I essentially just turned up and focused on myself while, as vice-captain, I now have to focus on everyone but myself! I have thoroughly enjoyed the build up. It has got my competitive juices flowing again. However, the bulk of emotions I am feeling are actually brand new. I don’t, for example, have nervous butterflies. I am calm, because I know I can’t directly affect the result.

There will inevitably be times when I wish I could pick up a club, but my playing days are over and I honestly don’t have plans to return to competitive golf. I am loving life as a mother and certainly have my hands full! However, I do want to retain ties with The Solheim Cup. One day I would like to become captain. It might be too soon to start talking me up as a candidate for Colorado 2013, but I do want the role one day. It would be an honour.

For now, I am looking no further ahead than Killeen, where the Americans will be a formidable force to conquer. They have won eight of the 11 Solheim Cups, including the last three. Girls like Paula Creamer and Cristie Kerr are just so solid and unflappable – unstoppable at their best and insatiable scrappers at their worst. Michelle Wie is also one to watch. She showed her class in 2009 and, despite an indifferent season so far, is a very talented match play golfer.

That is the thing about The Solheim Cup: form is obviously important, but not the only consideration when piecing your team together. You also need passionate characters who glue the team together, which is why characters like Stacy Lewis and Christina Kim are crucial to the Americans. The jovial demeanour they bring into the locker room will prove infectious and help everyone win points.

You can’t possibly win The Solheim Cup if you don’t gel as a unit, so the captain’s task is to find the correct chemistry. It is no good picking the top two players in the world if they can’t work well together. Alison knows this and has thus selected a very balanced side. We have an excellent blend of youth and experience. Rookies like Mel Reid (who is one of the most exciting prospects in golf right now and will be very confident following her brilliant victory at the Open de España Femenino) will be complemented and guided by sage old heads like Laura Davies and Catriona Matthew.

We also have world No.2 Suzann Pettersen who is, without doubt, our most important player. I expect her to lead by example and really assert her class. She should also excel on Killeen, where she won August’s Ladies Irish Open. That triumph, against a quality field, was a massive confidence boost to us all. We now know, for sure, she is well suited to Killeen.

The par-72, 7,700-yard Jack Nicklaus designed course is the perfect Solheim Cup host. If anything, it is pretty American, although it does have a distinct links feel too. The last three holes are intriguing, but in match play you never know if you are going to be playing them – hopefully not! The 16th is a tough par-three, which very much hinges on where you place the tee box. The 17th is a testing driving hole and the 18th is a vicious long, uphill par-four. 

I also think the long par-fives, especially the second and 12th, will prove highly significant because, unlike traditional links, the greens are built up with bunkers. That gives them a real risk-reward element. One thing is for sure, drama is guaranteed!

This could be the most exciting Solheim Cup yet and, whatever happens, it will be a brilliant spectacle. We are expecting massive crowds, who we will be leaning on for support. 

The fans really are our 15th club – so please come down to Ireland and help us try and become ‘Queens of the Castle!’