Solheim Cup: Carin Koch and Juli Inkster confirm opening foursomes
Thursday 17 September 2015 23:56, UK
Anna Nordqvist and Suzann Pettersen will open Europe's bid for a third consecutive Solheim Cup victory in the morning foursomes on Friday.
The duo, who both featured in Europe's victories in 2011 and 2013, will play against Morgan Pressel and Paula Creamer at the Golf Club St Leon Rot in Germany, as Europe look to impress again on home soil.
In the second foursome, English pair Melissa Reid and Charley Hull, who impressed during her rookie tournament as a 17-year-old last time around, face Michelle Wie and Brittany Lincicome.
Azahara Munoz and Karine Icher, who were paired together twice during Europe's record win in Colorado two years' ago, take on Lexi Thompson and Cristie Kerr, who is making her eighth consecutive Solheim Cup appearance.
Tournament veteran Catriona Matthew, one of Carin Koch's three captain's picks, plays alongside Sandra Gal against world No 3 Stacy Lewis and Lizette Salas.
There is no place in the USA foursomes for Alison Lee, who has been suffering from food poisoning.
Koch said: "I just wanted a strong team to go out first. They [Nordqvist and Pettersen] have played together before and they like to play together. It was a nice pairing to put on the first tee. I think it will be quite loud on the first tee so it nice to have a couple of experienced players to enjoy that moment.
"I knew Charley and Mel would both like to play together and watching them in practice I've seen they have a lot of fun together. They have personalities that go together and so do their games. It was an easy one for me."
Inkster, who had hoped to pair Lee with Wie, said: "My team is also ready to go. I think they were probably ready to go on Monday but we've had to wait a little bit.
"This week has been great. I don't think I have to stoke any fire with them. They're all competitive golfers. They're all professionals. If they weren't, they would be in this sport.
"This is a match between the Europeans and the United States. It's a game of sportsmanship and integrity. We're just going to go out there, play some golf, have some fun and see what happens."
Live Solheim Cup Golf
Morning foursomes (UK time)
7.00am Anna Nordqvist/Suzann Pettersen v Morgan Pressel/Paula Creamer
7.15am Charley Hull/Melissa Reid v Michelle Wie/Brittany Lincicome
7.30am Karine Icher/Azahara Munoz v Cristie Kerr/Lexi Thompson
7.45am Sandra Gal/Catriona Matthew v Stacy Lewis/Lizette Salas
Watch the Solheim Cup throughout the weekend live on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf
