Second Day of Solheim Cup Suspended for Darkness

HALMSTAD, SWEDEN. Sept. 15, 2007 – For the second consecutive day, wild weather conditions hampered play at the 10th Solheim Cup, set this week at Halmsted Golf Club. While torrential rain pelted players during Friday’s first day, steady winds blew from 20-25 mph and a high temperature of 54 degrees created problems all day for players on both the European and U.S. teams.

Wind damage to trees and structures delayed the start of Day 2 by two hours and 10 minutes, pushing back the afternoon four-ball event. Play was suspended a little after 7 p.m., allowing teams to complete their respective holes.

When darkness fell, Europe led in three matches, with one match at level par. That match, between Duramed FUTURES Tour alumna Stacy Prammanasudh of Oklahoma and U.S. teammate Juli Inkster of California and European teammates Trish Johnson of England and Iben Tinning of Denmark, ended just in time, said Prammanasudh, the 2003 Duramed FUTURES Tour Player of the Year.

“They were canning stuff left and right – making a lot of putts,” said Prammanasudh of her European opponents. “But I’m just ready to get out there tomorrow morning and see what we can do.”

Both Prammanasudh-Inkster and the team of Johnson-Tinning had two birdies each after 10 holes in the best-ball, four-player format, but the momentum seemed to be swinging in the direction of the Europeans in the blustery afternoon. In the morning foursome matches, the teams split with two points apiece, giving the Americans a slight 6 ½ to 5 ½ advantage with the four-ball event to be completed.

In the morning, Duramed FUTURES Tour alums Sherri Steinhauer of Wisconsin and Laura Diaz of Florida halved their match with Europe’s Maria Hjorth and Gwladys Nocera while Inkster and Paula Creamer halved with Europeans Sophie Gustafson and Suzann Pettersen. Tour alum Angela Stanford of Texas and Pat Hurst of California won 4&2 over Tinning and Bettina Hauert, while Europe’s Catriona Matthew and Annika Sorenstam defeated Tour alums Nicole Castrale of California and Cristie Kerr of Florida one-up.

“We can’t dilly-dally,” said Inkster of the need to pick up where she and teammate Prammanasudh left off when play resumes on Sunday at 7:35 a.m. “Stacy is very consistent, down the middle, on the greens – just very reliable in the best ball. We have eight holes to win this match.”

A rookie playing in her first Solheim Cup, Prammanasudh says she has soaked up knowledge playing with Inkster, her Solheim-savvy teammate.

“Being my first Solheim and playing with someone like Juli is a complete honor and I couldn’t have been more excited this afternoon,” said Prammanasudh, who earned her 2004 LPGA Tour card by finishing first on the Duramed FUTURES Tour’s 2003 Money List. “I’m out here to get on the fairway and greens and let her do her thing.”

Once the four-ball matches have been completed Sunday morning, the 12 singles matches will begin. Tour alum Diaz will kick off the first singles match against Scotland’s Catriona Matthew.

Contact: Lisa D. Mickey, lisa@duramedfuturestour.com.