Dame Laura Davies is confident Europe will avoid complacency when they take on among the USA teams at Solheim Cup history.
Juli Inkster’s bid to lead her team to a third straight victory was hit by preparation that was interrupted, together with Stacy Lewis being made to pull out due to a back injury with Ally McDonald stepping into the fold to become the sixth rookie from the line-up.
Angel Yin has been unable to practice as her collection of clubs late arrived at Gleneagles, but Davies insists that the European team will be focused on their particular games instead of being distracted by events in the opposition team area.
„It has certainly been an eventful start to Solheim Cup week,“ Davies told Sky Sports. „Ordinarily on a Monday and Tuesday it is about getting a feel for the area, trying to relax as far as you can, and getting some great practice.
„But with lost clubs such as Jodi Ewart Shadoff and Angel Yin, along with the USA being made to make a late change to their group, there has been much more going on. As she is a huge part of their team stacy Lewis having to extract is a pity for the Americans.
„However, Ally McDonald has played great this season also, if anything, she may actually be playing a bit greater than Stacy. Ally might be another newcomer, but she’ll be all set for the challenge and won’t shy away from it. It does rob Juli Inkster of an experienced participant, but Stacy is remaining with the team so they can utilise her experience.
„Team USA now have six rookies in their line-up, and only three have played a Solheim Cup outside the united states, but we certainly will not be getting complacent when we examine the inexperience in their own team. Juli has a very good team with players that are firmly established over the LPGA Tour, and it’s a tough qualifying process where you need to play good, consistent golf over the very best portion of 2 decades.“
Europe stay 13/8 outsiders with Sky Bet before the 16th edition of this championship, however Davies, who’s currently enjoying her first experience of vice-captaincy beneath Catriona Matthew, believes the 2 teams are equally matched and has predicted a competition.
„The bookies now have us as the outsiders using the Americans chances on to win, but with everything I have observed from our team both on and off the course, it is even money in my novel,“ added Davies, that remains the highest points scorer in the contest’s history with 25 points from her 12 looks – another album.
„Obviously we’re hoping for a big win, however I have a feeling it is going to be quite close as it comes to the dip on Sunday afternoon. We need to feed off the air and the home service and take that on the course.
„There will surely be a wonderful atmosphere around the first tee, where our players will truly feel the burden of expectation while the US team could feel a little intimidated. But I’d rather be in your home team. Four of Europe’s five Solheim Cup wins have been at home, along with a lot of this success is down to our“13th player“ beyond the ropes.
„Experienced or notevery single participant will truly feel the nerves on that first tee. It had been something that I suffered from, and I’ll admit that when I had been enjoying foursomes, I was absolutely happy for my spouse to hit on the first tee “
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