Solheim Cup: Europe have nothing to prove against USA, says Anna Nordqvist
Friday 18 September 2015 06:26, UK
Anna Nordqvist says Europe's Solheim Cup players have nothing to prove and thinks it is the USA's team who will be feeling the pressure.
Europe are seeking a hat-trick of victories after success in 2011 and 2013, the latter representing a first win on US soil since the biennial contest began in 1990.
Eleven of the American team on the receiving end of that 18-10 thrashing in Colorado are at St Leon-Rot in Germany to attempt to regain the trophy, with the only rookie, Alison Lee, suffering from a bout of food poisoning and ruled out of at least Friday's opening foursomes.
US captain Juli Inkster has insisted on a 'business-first' approach from her team, banning the face paint and temporary tattoos worn by the players two years ago.
"You can tell, definitely," Nordqvist said. "I think they lost the last two cups and there is definitely more pressure on them.
"I feel like our team, we don't have to prove ourselves with the last two victories. I think they have a lot of pressure.
"There's been a lot of talk about who's the underdog and who should win. The American team is definitely stronger in the stats. I think their average in the world ranking is 24 or 25, and we're 50. So I think they have the pressure this week.
"Maybe Juli is trying to take a different approach but I think we really have a strong team and we have a good plan."
American veteran Cristie Kerr, who is making her eighth consecutive Solheim Cup appearance, believes Inkster's approach has paid dividends.
"It is the same team, but it doesn't feel like the same team," the 37-year-old said. "Everybody's said it this week. It just feels like a different team. It feels like we're all more bonded, more meshed.
"Hats off to Juli, she's done a great job with us so far. To get a different feeling when we only have one different player, that's hard to do. It just seems like our chemistry is better this year."
Live Solheim Cup Golf
Kerr admits the previous two defeats are a major source of motivation this week, adding: "I think definitely it's on everybody's mind. But we are very similarly, as a team, focused on what we need to do to play well for ourselves.
"To win the Solheim Cup, it doesn't matter about an individual effort. Lexi Thompson could go undefeated. I could go undefeated. But for the team, everybody's got to play well to win. So we're very singular in our mindset of going out and putting our work hats on and getting it done."
Creamer has struggled for form this summer and missed four consecutive cuts before this week, but Inkster has faith in one of her wild card selections.
"I have all the confidence in the world in her. It was a no-brainer for me," Inkster said. "I watched her practice for three days. She's hitting it great. She's excited. I wanted to get her out there and get her feet wet, so to speak."
Inkster also revealed that she had planned to pair Lee with Michelle Wie in Friday's foursomes until her sickness.
"I did expect to put her [Lee] out but she's still sick," said Inkster. "She just can't shake a stomach bug. They gave her an IV of fluids today so we will see how it goes. She's already missed the gala dinner and she was really looking forward to that.
"It's definitely a disruption but you just have to go with it. There are a lot of teams that have been a man down and been successful.
"She's young. I hope she bounces back but I don't want her 'heave-hoing' on the golf course. I've done that and it's not fun.
"I don't want to put her out there when something like that is going to happen. We're a man down right now and everyone on the team knows it.
"Everyone is going to have to step it up a little bit, somebody might have to play all five matches now. I didn't want to do that... we're just going to have to play it by ear."
