Europe are Solheim Cup favourites, says USA captain Juli Inkster
Wednesday 16 September 2015 11:27, UK
USA captain Juli Inkster believes her side are the underdogs heading in to next month's Solheim Cup in Germany.
Inkster's side travel to Golf Club St Leon-Rot looking to avoid a third consecutive defeat, following a record-breaking 18-10 loss at home in Colorado two years ago.
While the world rankings would indicate that the visitors have the stronger line-up, Inkster feels her side aren't expected to return to come out on top.
"They're definitely the favourites, according to me, because we've lost the last two," Inkster told Sky Sports News HQ. "Until we win the cup again, that's the way I'm treating it.
"We've lost the last two and golf isn't played on paper, so my team knows we need to step it up a little bit and give a bit more of a challenge.
"We know they come to play with a lot of heart and a lot of fire. Our team needs to match that playing on foreign soil.
"We've got to have a better work ethic, go over there and play our golf. It's going to be hard because the crowds will be pro-European, but we expect that look to make it a quiet crowd."
Both sides have now announced their full squads, with Carin Koch selecting Karine Icher, Caroline Hedwall, Caroline Masson and Catriona Matthew as her four captain's selections.
Inkster also elected for experience when announcing her two wildcard picks, naming Solheim Cup regulars Brittany Lang and Paula Creamer as the final two players in her squad for Germany.
"I think they fit really well with my team, both in the locker room and out on the golf course," Inkster added. "Brittany has played really well in the past five or six weeks and she's in good form.
"Paula's struggled a little bit, but matchplay is a different breed and I'm sure she'll be raring to go come next month in Germany."
Full USA squad: Stacy Lewis, Paula Creamer, Lexi Thompson, Michelle Wie, Brittany Lincicome, Morgan Pressel, Angela Stanford, Gerina Piller, Alison Lee, Lizette Lalas, Brittany Lang and Paula Creamer.
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