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My Solheim highs and lows
From the best captain to the worst defeat
The best
The best win was definitely the first at Dalmahoy in 1992. We got soundly beaten in the inaugural matches at Lake Nona and, coming to Scotland, they had a team of world beaters and Hall of Famers. Seven of the eight fourballs or foursomes went to the last hole and we then won seven of the 10 singles.
The best partner
I had would be Alison Nicholas. We’ve been friends a long time and tended to do well together. In the first match in the Solheim Cup, we were up against Pat Bradley and Nancy Lopez at Lake Nona and we won 2&1 which was very special.
The best captain?
A tricky one. The best captains are the winning ones. You’re great if you win and, if you lose, you’re a losing captain and then it’s hard to describe them as great. I would go for Dale Reid at Loch Lomond.
The best bets for the leading points scorers
Suzann Pettersen for us and Cristie Kerr for the US. I can’t see anyone playing all five matches; it’s a big walk at Killeen and the matches will be close so 36 holes a day before the singles is a lot. We used to to do it as we didn’t have the strength in depth we have now.
The worst oppenent
The worst opponent would be Rosie Jones. She didn’t give you much and I don’t mean in terms of short putts, she was always there or thereabouts and you really had to work hard to win a hole.
The worst bit of gamesmanship
It was also Rosie. In the first Solheim Cup in the singles I was having problems hitting my driver and hit a lot of irons off the tee, Rosie wandered over about three times and asked if there was a screw loose in the face of the driver. I said to the referee ‘do you want this to escalate or do you want to say something to her?’ Thankfully he put a stop to it.
I’m not really into gamesmanship. I’m always keen to engage in conversation as most of the opposition are good friends of mine. You can try to do too much or try and be too clever and, when it doesn’t make any impression on them, it tends to just backfire on you.
The best captains are the winning ones. You’re great if you win and, if you lose, you’re a losing captain and then it’s hard to describe them as great. I would go for Dale Reid.
The worst defeat
It was at St Pierre in 1996 particularly as that was possibly the best team I ever played on. We trailed by three points after the first morning but battled back to lead by two points going into the singles. Then they stuffed us 10-2. I don’t know why we didn’t win to be honest and it really stuck in the craw. I didn’t hang around very long afterwards. There were too many people having too much fun considering we had lost so I jumped in the car.
Partners
I would love to play with Mel Reid as we get on really well – or Becky Brewerton or Maria Hjorth would be great. There are players my game suits; if I stick it in the trees I know they can get it out whereas someone like Christel Boeljon has a different game and it might not work in foursomes. In fourballs it doesn’t matter.
The Annika Factor
She’ll take a lot of pressure off Ali as the press will all want to talk to Annika and that will leave Ali with more time to do what she has to do.
And the outcome?
I think we will win, the galleries will be great and I would take us to win 15-13.
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