Sugar Grove, August 21: Michelle Wie will team with another young pro, Morgan Pressel, in Friday morning’s final four-ball match of the Europe vs United States Solheim Cup.
Wie and Pressel will play the European duo of Women’s British Open champion Catriona Matthew and Maria Hjorth.
The 11th Solheim Cup will start with the American duo of Paula Creamer and Cristie Kerr against European captain Alison Nicholas’ top duo, Sophie Gustafson of Sweden and Suzann Pettersen of Norway.
“We have to set the tone early,” Creamer said. “We’re going to try and get the fans as loud as they can.”
Match two pits Americans Juli Inkster and Angela Stanford against Helen Alfredsson and Tania Elosegui.
US captain Beth Daniel sends out Brittany Lang and Brittany Lincicome in the third match versus Laura Davies and Becky Brewerton. English veteran Davies has played in all 11 Solheim Cups.
Friday’s opening four four-ball matches will be followed by four foursomes. The format remains the same, and the competition closes on Sunday with 12 singles matches.
Since the United States won in 2007, the Americans need only 14 points to retain the Cup, while the European team must reach 14 1/2 points to reclaim the Cup.
—Agencies