Duo reunited again for Solheim foursomes

Nine years after they first played together against the Americans, Scot Catriona Matthew will again partner Annika Sorenstam when the Solheim Cup starts in Sweden tomorrow.

The pair face three-time British Open champion Sherri Steinhauer and wild card pick Laura Diaz in the second of the four morning foursomes at Halmstad.

Home captain Helen Alfredsson leads off with fellow Swede Sophie Gustafson and Norway’s Suzann Pettersen, winner of her first major title earlier this season.

They play reigning US Women’s Open champion Cristie Kerr, who has been given her wish to play with the experienced Pat Hurst, loser of a play-off to Sorenstam in last year’s US Open.

Becky Brewerton, the first Welsh player to appear in the event, partners Laura Davies, winning her 10th cap, but they have a tough assignment against top American qualifier Paula Creamer and seven-time major winner Juli Inkster.

In the bottom game American youngsters Natalie Gulbis and Morgan Pressel, 24 and 19 respectively, take on the French-Swedish combination of Gwladys Nocera and Maria Hjorth.

Like the Ryder Cup, the Solheim Cup comprises of foursomes and fourballs on the first two days followed by 12 singles.

Matthew and Sorenstam played both foursomes together at Muirfield Village, Ohio, in 1998, winning one and losing one, and were brought back together two years ago, losing on the last to Hurst and Michele Redman.

“By the world rankings certainly they’re favourites but having it over here is a big help to us,” said Matthew.