Matthew key as Europeans look to break US dominance

According to the world rankings, the USA should easily win a contest that has become irritatingly lopsided. Many of the matches have been close, but the records show that Europe has only managed a miserly three victories in 11 attempts.

The first two triumphs came in Scotland – at Dalmahoy in 1992 and at Loch Lomond in 2000 – and then Matthew had the honour of clinching victory for her side at Barseback in Sweden. But that last win was all of eight years ago and an American side boasting seven players in the world’s top 20 again start firm favourites. Suzann Pettersen, the world No 2, is the lone European with similar status.

But Matthew, the world No 32 and making her sixth Solheim appearance, is not fearful. “We’re quietly confident,” she said. “We have a good blend and, even though we have five rookies, they are all winners and have all proved themselves.

“Yes, it is important for the whole Solheim Cup that Europe wins again, but so many of the matches have been very close. The scores don’t really tell the whole story.”

There are several factors that give Europe reason to be hopeful. The advantage of playing in front of a home crowd, the weather (cold, wet and windy) and the fact that the Irish Ladies’ Open has been staged at Killeen for the past couple of years. Matthew finished sixth here last month, the week before she claimed the Aberdeen Ladies’ Scottish Open at Archerfield.

“The Solheim is always a hectic week and it’s not often we have the luxury of knowing the course. It means we’ve been able to relax a little bit more and save energy. For me, I seem to enjoy it more every time. I think that comes with experience,” she said.

When Matthew clinched the winning singles point in 2003 it was in a match against Rosie Jones, who is the American captain this week. She has put her faith in her longer hitters for the opening series, with Michelle Wie and Cristie Kerr leading the way in the top match.

Matthew and Munoz are in the third slot against Stacy Lewis, who won all five matches for the US in the Curtis Cup at St Andrews three years ago, and Angela Stanford. The other matches feature Brittany Lincicome and Paula Creamer against the all-English pair of Karen Stupples and Melissa Reid and the last foursome is Brittany Lang and 51-year-old Juli Inkster versus Pettersen and Sophie Gustafson.

Alison Nicholas, the European skipper, said she had decided to mix up youth and experience. “Catriona is a great leader and everyone gets on with her,” said the former US Women’s Open champion. “I think Catriona and Azahara will make a great pairing. They’re both very steady players.”

Casting her eye over her team, Nicholas – who also captained Europe in a loss at Sugar Grove, Illinois in 2009, added: “We’ve got great strength in depth and it’s a very strong European team. But I would never underestimate the Americans, because on paper in the world rankings, we are the underdogs slightly.

“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.”

Stupples also believes that the Europeans are better equipped to compete this year. “I think traditionally in the past the top players have had a lot of pressure, because they know that their points are big,” she said.

“But his year we’re all playing fairly well. I think we have a better chance together as a team, so there’s not that same kind of pressure. I think we’re going to do just fine.”

Jones says that she has a masterplan, although she admitted she had expected Pettersen to be out in the first match. “You got me there,” she joked to Nicholas.

For Europe and for the sake of the Solheim Cup, the hope is that Jones’ masterplan backfires.