GOLF:'THREE DAYS. Two continents. One Solheim Cup,' is the slogan for this year's competition. 'Three days. Two continents. One winner,' seems a deliberately premature thought but it is not far from some people's minds.

And it was also a view both Solheim Cup team captains were dismissing yesterday as Alison Nicholas and America’s Rosie Jones arrived in Killeen Castle to survey the Jack Nicklaus course ahead of the Ladies Irish Open, which begins on Friday and the Solheim Cup on September 23rd.

Now just 50 days out from the beginning of the Ryder Cup-styled event between the women from Europe and the USA, Nicholas was confidently playing the underdog status with America dampening down their considerable strengths.

With two European players, Norway’s Suzann Pettersen and Sweden’s Maria Hjorth, in the Rolex World Ranking top 20 and seven from the USA, including world number two Christie Kerr and top 10 player Paula Creamer, Jones had the more difficult task of explaining her fears in the face of the European home challenge.

“On paper the US look great. It looks like an advantage. The Americans have played really strong this year,” said the US captain. “They are up in the rankings. But I know Europe is very, very hungry for this, losing the last three Solheim Cups and especially losing over in Sweden, they have something to say.

“They definitely are hungry. I know that and it is going to be my job to make my players know that so that they are not complacent. Every single one of those players knows the Solheim Cup is a different story.

“The European team have great players, some playing very well. Maria Hjorth is playing great this year. Sophie (Gustafson) is starting to come around. Laura (Davies) has played great over here. They have always got a stack of secret players who we don’t know very well. It’s going to be fun.”

Davies currently tops the European points standings and is a certainty to play. At 48-years-old her experience, and no less her form, will be a huge influence on the European hopes both on the track and behind the scenes. “Laura is passionate about the Solheim Cup,” said Nicholas bridling at any suggestion that she is beyond her usefulness.

While Jones cannot stay for this week’s Irish Open, Nicholas will hang around as a string of candidates for her squad are on show as the team announcement draws near. Davies, Melissa Reid, currently second on the European points standings, Anna Nordqvist, Catriona Matthew, Hjorth, Sandra Gal and defending champion Gustafson will all play the three-day event around Killeen Castle.

Several American candidates are also involved and extrovert Christina Kim, who is currently automatic 10th pick for the USA, alongside world number 11 Stacey Lewis, Vicky Hurst and 16-year-old sensation Lexi Thompson have all travelled to Co Meath to enhance their chances of gaining one of Jones’ two captains’ picks.

Nicholas has four captains’ picks for the Europeans team of 12 as they work off a combination of the world rankings and the Ladies European Tour rankings. The top four from each ranking system plus two picks forms the team.

While Nicholas was evasive about her combination until the European deadline of August 29th, Jones appeared more certain, although names will remain scarce until the Americans declare their team on August 21st.

“I’ve a pretty good idea of the first pick,” said Jones. “And I’ve about four people lined up for that second one. Any of them that stands up and throws a flag at me and that’s it. I want players who are playing well.”

Both captains are expecting support for their teams with Nicholas hoping that over 100,000 will attend the event over an intense three days. The tournament in Sweden two years ago succeeded in breaking the six-figure mark, which was a record crowd for the competition.

So too is the European team hoping to ride the crest of the current success in Irish golf. A home venue, a home crowd and a heightened sense of belief can help swing momentum. It’s the very reason that Jones and her star-studded cast are treading with caution.

“Darren Clarke’s victory at The Open was superb and Rory McIlroy coming back from his Masters was sensational,” said Nicholas. “I think it was a great character builder for him, the fact that he was up there for the first time, didn’t handle it but learned by his mistakes was fantastic.

“So yeah, we can build on that and the fact that we are coming to Ireland. The great success helps the event, helps golf world wide.”

There will be no home players on the European team for the crowds to follow with Alison Walshe currently at 194 in the world rankings the highest placed Irish competitor.