Solheim Cup: Friday morning foursome matches predictions

Team USA: Cristie Kerr & Lexi Thompson over Charley Hull & Mel Reid

Tee Time: 8:10am local time (CT)

Both teams played in the opening foursome matches at St. Leon-Rot in 2015 and both teams won their match. This is the perfect way to begin the 2017 competition.

Cristie Kerr is the senior player in this match. She’s making her 9th Solheim Cup appearance and will easily handle any weaknesses that surface for Team USA. Lexi Thompson may out-rank Kerr in the world rankings, but there’s no doubt in my mind that Kerr is the dominant force in this Team USA pairing.

Do Kerr and Thompson have the mojo to hold off the dynamic and near-perfectly paired Englishwomen, Charley Hull and Mel Reid. This pairing is dangerous for Team USA. Hull and Reid work together like a synchronized swim team and they play superbly in the foursome format.

What to watch for? Control of the putting surface will be paramount because both the Americans and the Europeans in this opening match will bring superb tee-to-green games to tee. Kerr ranks 10th on the LPGA Tour in overall putting and Thompson 69th. On the European side, Hull ranks 139th and Reid 149th. By the numbers the match should go to Team USA.