The Solheim Cup is about to start and the Racing Post's Steve Palmer has three selections to follow.
The Solheim Cup takes place every two years and is always an eagerly awaited contest between Europe and the United States. This week's edition looks almost certain to be tight and tense.
The United States are marginal favourites at 10/11, with Europe at 1/1 and the tie on offer at 11/1.
The United States have won 11 of the 19 Solheim Cups, but the Stars and Stripes have triumphed in only one of the last four editions.
That American success was last time - a comfortable 15.5-12.5 romp in Virginia - but there are reasons for believing the Cup holders have got a tough mission on their hands to retain the precious trophy.
The action starts at the 6,557-yard, par-72 Bernardus Golf venue at 6.40am UK and Ireland time, with four foursomes matches.
Four fourballs contests follow, then Saturday sees the same schedule, followed by 12 singles matches on Sunday.
A mixture of cloud and sunshine is expected, with temperatures between 12C and 21C. The forecast is for hardly any wind throughout, so plenty of birdies should be available.
Solheim Cup Tips Summary
Best Bet - Europe to win @ 1/1
Alternative Bet - Charley Hull top points scorer @ 15/2
Alternative Bet - Nelly Korda top USA points scorer @ 15/4
Solheim Cup Prediction
Best Bet: Europe to win @ 1/1
Bernardus Golf is a heathland venue, so the Europeans should feel more comfortable tackling the track than the raiding American party, and anything of even-money or better seems a value play on the hosts.
Home advantage is typically crucial in team golf events, as underlined by Great Britain and Ireland's Walker Cup triumph last Sunday and Europe should be boosted by vociferous home support here.
European captain, Anna Nordqvist, is a feisty character who will happily whip the galleries into a frenzy if it means helping her team to victory.
There does not seem to be much between the two sides in terms of form and ability, so the decisive factor may be the atmosphere and how unsettling it will be for the away team.
Aside from world number one Nelly Korda, Team USA is lacking star quality and Angel Yin is teeing up as one of the rustiest players on the LPGA circuit.
She missed two months of competition dealing with a stomach problem, losing lots of weight, and she carded a round of 81 on her return to action at the end of last month.
With Yin a weak link, the United States look vulnerable, so the visitors probably need a massive performance from Korda to retain the Cup.
Alternative Bet: Charley Hull top points scorer @ 15/2
Kettering-born Charley Hull has already played in seven Solheim Cups, so brings a wealth of experience to Bernardus and the 30-year-old may be the star of the competition.
Hull has won 61 per cent of her 27 Solheim matches and could be set to form a dream partnership with compatriot Lottie Woad. If Hull can avoid Korda in the draw, points seem almost certain.
Alternative Bet: Nelly Korda top USA points scorer @ 15/4
Korda has more career victories under her belt than the rest of the American team combined.
She is by far the best player in the away squad and arrives bursting with confidence, having won four times this season, including two Majors.
Having played a lighter schedule than usual this term, Korda will tee up in the Netherlands fresh for the fight and she can improve her impressive Solheim win percentage of 66 per cent.
Key Solheim Cup Stats
The United States have won 11 of the 19 Solheim Cups
Europe have won seven of the 19 Solheim Cups
There has been only one tie in the history of the competition (2023)
The biggest win in history was Europe's 18-10 success in 2013
Rose Zhang was top American in the last match, with a 100 per cent record
Charley Hull was top European in the last match, scoring three points
Read more golf betting tips and predictions on site.
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
