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Solheim Cup Betting: US are worthy favourites but Europe have a chance

Golf Events RSS / / 19 August 2009 /

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Michelle Wie lines up for hot favourites USA in the Solheim Cup

Michelle Wie lines up for hot favourites USA in the Solheim Cup

"Whilst Europe have competed quite competitively in the US their only wins in this competition have come on home soil. The US team will be very confident that they will continue the trend and record a win. The winner market suggests they won't be short of support and as it stands it looks like they will go off at around [1.28]. Whilst these are not big odds they are fair, and reflective of what should be a comfortable win for this powerful US outfit."

The 11th Solheim Cup takes place this week at the Rich Harvest Farms in Illinois - an impressive looking venue where, if the course plays as good as it looks, we could be in for a real treat, writes Tareq Quiroz.

After last week's events at Hazeltine I am in desperate need of something else to focus my attention on. I still can't quite believe that Y E Yang took Tiger out down the stretch. Next thing you know Europe will be beating the US in the Solheim Cup stateside. Well let's not get too hasty as we approach this week's big event.

The Solheim may not have the history of the Ryder Cup but its status grows each year. It can play as long as 7,700 yards but for the ladies it will play at around 6,670 yards. There are some spectacular holes on this course but none more so than the par 4 fourth. Named Devils Elbow, this hole will see more than its fair share of heartache over the week.

The two teams have a rather familiar look to them. Old stalwarts find themselves once again in the mix although there are a fair share of rookies. European Team captain Alison Nicholas knows all about what is needed to win a Solheim Cup having featured in some capacity in all three European wins. With Laura Davies in the side, the team won't lack experience. Laura has competed in every single Solheim Cup to date and needs one more point to get on terms with Annika Sorenstam as the highest points scorer of all time. She may well get that point but will it be enough to help Europe to victory? With our girls currently trading at [6.4] the market doesn't think so.

The US team has a frightening look, right through from the captain, Beth Daniel, to the rookies. Daniel is one of the most respected members of the LPGA tour and quite rightly gets her shot at this job. Her team is made up of some great experience in the likes of Juli Inkster but the real sign of the power of the team is the quality of the rookies. Brittany Lang and Kristy McPherson both have good efforts in majors and will be worthy adversaries. The rookie that will attract most attention is Michelle Wie. Despite seemingly having been around for some time it is amazing to think that Wie is still only 19-years-old.

Whilst Europe have competed quite competitively in the US their only wins in this competition have come on home soil. The US team will be very confident that they will continue the trend and record a win. The winner market suggests they won't be short of support and as it stands it looks like they will go off at around [1.28]. Whilst these are not big odds they are fair, and reflective of what should be a comfortable win for this powerful US outfit.

If that price is too short for you then there are a few other markets that may appeal. The key to punting on the top points scorer markets is to try and anticipate how many times each player will play and who they will be paired with. Also, take into account the older players probably won't play every time and the same will apply to most of the rookies.

At the odds the stand-out player is Christina Kim. Who can forget her face-painting, fist-pumping figure as she burst onto the scene in the 2005 Solheim Cup? After a not so impressive spell she is back in the big time and played very well at the British Open last month. Full of confidence (not that she needs much of that) she will be a key personality for the US team this week. At odds of around [20.0] she has to be the pick to be Top US Point scorer.

On the European front they will be boosted by Catriona Matthew's British Open win and the presence of another recent major winner in Anna Nordqvist. They will both be tough competition for anybody but unlike the US team I think the top points scorer here will come from the main protagonists. Suzanne Petterson is the best player in the European side, has a fantastic Solheim record and will be feared by the US players. At odds of around [6.0] she is by far the most likely European success.

Whilst I fully expect a resounding victory for the US team there is hope for Europe. Alison Nicholas will need to get them fired up for a flying start and if they do manage to get in front early then you never know. After all, if Y E Yang can do it then there is even hope for a European Solheim Cup team on US soil.

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