Reid predicts thrilling Solheim Cup

Opposing captains from the biggest event in the women's game, the Solheim Cup, met for the first time on British soil yesterday.

Dale Reid, who heads the European team, and Pat Bradley, who leads the Americans, met at Loch Lomond, the venue for the Cup on 6 to 8 October. "This competition is the pinnacle of women's golf and I am very honoured to be here and represent the United States," Bradley said. "It should be an incredible competition."

The event's return to Scotland is particularly significant for the European side as the last time it took place at Dalmahoy in 1992, they won 11-6. Since then Americans have dominated the biennial event, winning the last three times. The teams of 12 will complete eight foursomes matches on 6 October, followed by eight fourballs the following day, culminating in all 12 competitors playing singles on the Sunday.

Meanwhile, a field featuring only one player from the world's top 100 makes the Moroccan Open in Marrakesh, which starts today, a suitable target for an ambitious rookie.

The tournament, which has switched from Agadir because the course there is unready, is ripe for Europe's ninth rookie win of the year, particularly since last year's play-off pair, winner Miguel Martin and David Park, have decided to miss the event. Martin won a nerve-racking six-hole sudden-death play-off against Park, who was making his Tour debut. That leaves Andrew Coltart the highest-ranked player in the field at No 96 in the world. But the Ryder Cup player has not played for two months and cannot be considered favourite.

Englishman John Bickerton is one possible winner. He is the only one of the 20 golfers who featured in the inaugural Seve Ballesteros Trophy at Sunningdale last week to make the trip to Marrakesh.