Associated Press
Thursday, October 5

LUSS, Scotland -- The United States Solheim Cup team was in a jovial mood. The Europeans were just trying to survive until Friday.

Friday pairings

Pairings for Friday morning foursomes in the Solheim Cup at Loch Lomond Golf Club: Laura Davies and Alison Nicholas (Europe) vs. Dottie Pepper and Juli Inkster (U.S.). Trish Johnson and Sophie Gustafson (Europe) vs. Kelly Robbins and Pat Hurst (U.S.). Catrin Nilsmark and Carin Koch (Europe) vs. Brandie Burton and Becky Iverson (U.S.). Annika Sorenstam and Janice Moodie (Europe) vs. Meg Mallon and Beth Daniel (U.S.).

As the Americans joked Wednesday about the foul weather, the battered greens and even captain Pat Bradley, the Europeans were expected to replace injured Helen Alfredsson with Scottish player Catriona Matthew.

British bookmakers have the Americans 8-15 favorites to retain the women's version of the Ryder Cup, where they hold a 4-1 lead. Despite the rain and mud at the Loch Lomond Golf Club, the Americans had plenty of reasons to smile -- even without the European troubles.

"I don't know why this is supposed to be a stressful week," American Meg Mallon said. "I think the stress was getting here."

Juli Inkster and Rosie Jones kidded how Bradley had forgotten their names, using terms like "pro" and "babe" when her memory slipped.

"I never thought I would have Pat Bradley worrying about my insoles," Inkster joked. "I've seen a big change in Pat."

Bradley, a three-time Solheim player, admitted she's changed.

"For 27 years in my LPGA career I have been very focused and single-minded," the 49-year-old Bradley said. "One of the enjoyable things in this situation as captain is I've had to broaden my view. Only this type of event would allow that. This is the crown jewel in my career."

	Rosie Jones is playing on her fourth Solheim Cup team for the United States.

Dottie Pepper, playing in her sixth Solheim, was lighthearted -- as she usually is when she's not playing golf.

"The hardest part is getting from green to tee," she said. "That seems to be the sloppiest area. We've had a couple of casualties."

She also deflected criticism from European reporters who were upset by her cheerleading two years ago in the American victory at Muirfield Village in Columbus, Ohio.

"We played hard for three days and we're all friends," she said, noting that four European players had sent letters to U.S. immigration officials helping her bid to hire a British caddie. "As far as the bad blood that's been written about, it's as far overblown as it could possibly be."

Spanish player Raquel Carriedo, who complained her English-speaking teammates talk too fast, was in the same boat as American Beth Daniel, who has been dumbfounded by her friendly Scottish hosts.

"We love the accent, except every once in a while. It is like: `Translation please.' We speak the same language, but sometimes we don't understand each other."

Even European captain Reid got a laugh when asked if her highly paid players -- most with contracts with major ball manufacturers -- were having problems agreeing on the ball to play in foursomes.

"There are a few out there playing golf balls they don't normally play with," Reid said. "They are trying anything out, anything that floats at the moment."

Three European players were ill or injured on Wednesday, and Reid was "also a touch under the weather."

Europe's biggest concern is Alfredsson, who slipped hands-first Tuesday into some loose gravel, skinning her palms and straining her wrist. She played only five holes on Wednesday and retired.

"I did not think it was any reason to push it," she said. "I felt I didn't want to aggravate it many more."

Reid had until Thursday afternoon to announce her Friday foursomes (alternate ball) pairings.

"Time is a great healer, but today she (Alfredsson) couldn't hold the golf club," Reid said.

Patricia Meunier Lebouc struggled in practice with flu symptoms, and Carriedo had the sniffles after fighting flu last week.

Then there's the matter of the greens at the Loch Lomond, which were sprayed with an emerald dye Wednesday to cover a brownish surface burned by a herbicide treatment 2½ months ago.

President Lyle Anderson issued an open letter of apology to both teams and the Solheim family, who founded what has become the most prestigious event in women's professional golf. He called what happened a "human error."