 |  It's important for me to play well and set the tone |
Sweden's Annika Sorenstam says Europe must get off to a fast start to have a chance of winning their first Solheim Cup on American soil this weekend. Europe are defending champions after a record 17�-10� victory in the matchplay event - the women's version of the Ryder Cup - in Sweden two years ago.
"It's very important to take the lead early on," said the world number one.
"You want to set the pace. It's great to have the momentum on your side. It's tough to fight from behind."
America lead the series 5-3 since its inception in 1990 and are unbeaten in four matches in front of their home crowds.
Sorenstam is competing in her seventh Solheim Cup and admits she has a responsibility to lead from the front.
"I think it's important for me to play well and set the tone," said Sorenstam, who has won nine major titles.
"You can play 'steady Eddie', which is normally my game, but I've got to make some birdies this week."
Europe's side also boasts England's former world number one Laura Davies, the only player to have appeared in all eight Solheim Cups.
Sorenstam and Davies share Europe's record point score (17.5) and will form the cornerstone of Swedish captain Catrin Nilsmark's side.
Seven players qualified by virtue of their ranking - Sorenstam, Davies, France's Ludivine Kreutz and Gwladys Nocera, Sweden's Maria Hjorth, Denmark's Iben Tinning and England's Trish Johnson.
Nilsmark then added five captain's picks - Swedes Sophie Gustafson and Carin Koch, Norway's Suzann Pettersen, Scot Catriona Matthew and England's Karen Stupples.
| They're going to get beat |
Three of the team - Kreutz, Nocera and Stupples - are making their Solheim Cup debut.
America are skippered by Nancy Lopez, 48, a legend in the women's game, and will be led on the course by the in-form Cristie Kerr.
Kerr, 27, who has won twice so far this year, has played in two Solheim Cups, while Meg Mallon, Rosie Jones, Juli Inkster and Beth Daniel have all won at least five caps.
Lopez can also turn to 19-year-old Paula Creamer, the youngest-ever Solheim Cup player and the first LPGA Tour rookie to make the US team.
| SOLHEIM CUP RECORD 2003: Europe 17.5-10.5 USA 2002: USA 15.5-12.5 Europe 2000: Europe 14.5-11.5 USA 1998: USA 16-12 Europe 1996: Europe 11-17 USA 1994: USA 13-7 Europe 1992: Europe 11.5-6.5 USA 1990: USA 11.5-4.5 Europe |
Creamer, who has won twice in her rookie year, has already upped the ante by predicting a USA victory.
"They're going to get beat," Creamer said of the Europeans.
Sorenstam responded: "I think she's very excited to be part of the team. She has every right to be.
"She's played very, very well this year. She was probably speaking from her heart. They have a good team.
"We don't voice our opinions the way they do. Hopefully we can let our clubs do the talking."
America field two other rookies alongside Creamer - Natalie Gulbis, 22, and Christina Kim, 21.
Under the US qualification system, Lopez handed captain's picks to 48-year-old Daniel and two-time Cup star Wendy Ward.
The ninth Solheim Cup takes place at Crooked Stick, Carmel, Indiana from 9-11 September.
MMIX
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