The Solheim Cup is once again ready to tee-off, this time in County Meath, Ireland as some of the best female golfers in the United States and Europe look to help their respective team. The headlines are already pouring in for this week's festivities, and while the Americans are the heavy favorites to retain the Cup won in 2009, the European team looks to take back the cup thanks to a strong group of participants.
Funny, Yet Embarrassing Start for Americans
The fun started early for the United States team, according to many reports, as the team bus broke down Monday on the way to the Dublin airport. As the Golf Channel's Jay Coffin states, not only did the bus malfunction slow down and embarrass the team for a few minutes, but supposedly "Born in the USA" by Bruce Springsteen was blaring throughout the bus radio at the time of the accident. Nothing like making a splendid first impression while on foreign soil, right America?
Match-Up Heavily Favors the American Team
Despite their obvious lack of travel skills, the United States team is certainly the more talented golfing group of the two teams. In terms of the number of players in the top 20 of the Rolex World Rankings, the United States boast seven players compared to Europe's one. In fact, the average world ranking for the American team members is just over 35 while the European players average a ranking of 40.
In terms of career LPGA titles, the United States boasts 70 victories compared to Europe's 46; however, in terms of European Tour victories, not a single US player has a victory on European soil compared to the 80 recorded by their opponents. Furthermore, the European team players have a solid advantage in number of overall titles this 2011 season: 12 to the United States' three.
Julie Inkster Impressive as She Qualifies Once Again
Perhaps one of the more interesting storylines this Solheim Cup is that of American Julie Inkster, who at the age of 51 has once again qualified to compete in the event as a LPGA player. When asked in 2009 to serve as a captain's pick in what would be a victory for the United States team, Inkster admitted that would be her last Cup appearance. Two years later, however, she finds herself in the 9th position in terms of Solheim Cup qualifying points and will once again compete this season.
Sources:
Mell, R., "Tale of the Solheim Cup Tape", GolfChannel.com; accessed September 2011.
Coffin, J., "Ominous start to Solheim Cup week for U.S. ", GolfChannel.com; accessed September 2011.
Adam Fonseca - Adam Fonseca is a certified Lean Six Sigma Change Agent and an accomplished golf writer. He currently works in health care ...
