Rookie Reid says Europe can surprise US in Solheim Cup

Melissa Reid won last weekend's European Ladies Tour event in Spain

Melissa Reid believes Europe's Solheim Cup team can spring a surprise by beating their American counterparts in this weekend's transatlantic battle.

Europe have not won the biennial contest since 2003 and will be underdogs when the event starts at Killeen Castle in Ireland on Friday.

However English rookie Reid, 24, believes form favours the home team.

"There's a good buzz on the European team and hopefully we can snatch it from them," added Derby golfer Reid.

"On paper we are probably coming in as slight underdogs but I think all 12 players are playing really, really well."

Over the last four years, Europe's only major winners have been team members Anna Nordqvist and Catriona Matthew - a statistic Reid believes can partly be attributed to the lack of opportunities on the LPGA Tour.

"It's not as easy for us to go out there and play on the LPGA as it is for the guys," added Reid.

"So we don't get to play against the same sort of competition as they do. Maybe that's the difference."

Reid could not be coming into the contest in better form having won the Open de Espana Femenino last week, her second Ladies European Tour title of the season.

She qualified for the European team for the first time at the head of the rankings and also finished third over the same course at the Irish Open last month.

While Reid prepares for her first Solheim Cup experience, Laura Davies will be making her 12th appearance and is the only golfer to play in every one of the contests.

The 47-year-old said:"The ultimate every two years is to qualify for the team and not worry about getting a captain's pick.

"I guess I've done it 12 times now, which is very satisfying."

Davies believes the outcome of Friday and Saturday's foursomes and fourballs will be crucial if Europe are to have a chance of victory, and she has called on the home supporters to make themselves heard.

"I think we need a lead going into the singles. If we don't have a lead, we'll be in a little bit of a trouble.

"The home advantage is not the golf course, it's the fans, it's the galleries, it's the cheering you get."

European team: Melissa Reid (England), Laura Davies (England), Suzann Pettersen (Norway), Christel Boeljon (Holland), Maria Hjorth (Sweden), Anna Nordqvist (Sweden), Catriona Matthew (Scotland), Sophie Gustafson (Sweden), Azahara Munoz (Spain), Caroline Hedwall (Sweden), Karen Stupples (England), Sandra Gal (Germany).

Captain: Alison Nicholas (England).

US team: Cristie Kerr, Morgan Pressel, Stacy Lewis, Angela Stanford, Paula Creamer, Michelle Wie, Brittany Lincicome, Brittany Lang, Julik Inkster, Christina Kim, Vicki Hurst, Ryann O'Toole.

Captain: Rosie Jones