Solheim Cup

[Dougal]

The 'Ladies Ryder Cup' as it will always be know starts tomorrow in Sweden with blanket coverage on Sky.The last four Solheim Cup's have been won comfortably by the home team, this year the event is in Sweden where massive crowds are expected, Over 100,000 people watched the three days of the cup in Sweden four years ago. Europe to win @ 7/4 VC Bet On paper the USA team is far better than the European, but as the European men have proved time and time again, world rankings count for diddly squat when it comes to the heat of team competition. In the women's game home advantage has historically been important and only once have the American's won in Europe (1996). There will be massive crowds in Sweden this week with 99% behind Europe which is naturally going to be intimidating for the Americans, four of the US team are rookies and a number of others have never played a tie outside of the states. In addition the course has been set up long to suit Europe's bigger hitters and the weather is likely to be cool, wet and windy, which the Americans, used as they are to playing their country club golf in 80 degree sunshine, won't like at all. Top points scorer. Suzanne Pettersen e/w @11/1 Stanjames Norwegian Pettersen is an incredibly gutsy player, she fell apart in the first major of the year when seemingly she had it in the bag but bounced back to take her first major at the Mcdonalds LPGA a couple of months later. The third longest hitter in the women's game and also near the top of the stats in birdies made. I'd expect her to play in all 5 games as one of the backbones of the European team and she may well be paired with Annika after they were successfull together last time.