Nine Solheim Cup players have a winning record and six are European

CASERAS, Spain — Who are the favorites at the 2023 Solheim Cup?

The gambling experts in Las Vegas currently have the host Europeans as the favorites at -115, but it’s a close bet with the Americans at +100. A tie is currently +950.

The Rolex world ranking gives the U.S. side a slight advantage as all 12 Americans are ranked inside the top 50. Nine Euros are inside the top 50, with two outside the top 120.

If you ask United States captain Stacy Lewis, she’ll say Suzann Petersen and her European counterparts have to be favored. After all, Team Europe has claimed the last two Cups and will be playing on home soil.

“And that’s not to doubt my team. I just think Europe is really, really strong. They have got all the momentum in this event right now,” said Lewis last month when she made her captain’s picks for the biennial event that begins on Friday at Finca Cortesin on Spain’s southern coast. “That’s going to be our biggest thing is we are going overseas, and we don’t have the momentum on our side. And so we are going to go try to flip it.”

“We have a lot of new blood that has not experienced the last two years,” Lewis continued. “They don’t know what it’s been like, and I think that’s going to be to our advantage, as well.”

Sure, ignorance can be bliss, but the other side of that coin is a lack of high-pressure experience in a truly unique event. That could be an issue for the U.S., who fields a 12-player team this week that features five rookies.

Not only is Team Europe two-time defending champions, but of the 24 players competing, nine have winning records in the event, and six are European.

MEET THE TEAMS: USA | Europe

Leona Maguire of Team Europe attends a press conference prior to the Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin Golf Club on September 19, 2023 in Casares, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Age: 28
World Ranking: 17
Solheim Cup appearances: 1 (2021)
Solheim Cup record: 4-0-1

Maguire made the team due to her world ranking, but the Ireland native was sure to be on this team after she led Team Europe to victory in 2021 with 4½ points, including a 5-and-4 drubbing of Jennifer Kupcho.

Nelly Korda of Team USA plays a shot during practice prior to the Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin Golf Club on September 19, 2023 in Casares, Spain. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Age: 25
World Ranking: 3
Solheim Cup appearances: 2 (2019, 2021)
Solheim Cup record: 5-2-1

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