Solheim Cup 2011: US Ready to Assert Dominance

The 2011 Solheim Cup enters Sunday's play tied, but that is in score only. Look at this further and it is clear the US has a huge edge heading into Sunday.

First, they have a lead in the very literal sense. While the match sits at 8-8, the US, since they are the defending champs, will be crowned if this ends in a tie.

But more than that, the US has a huge psychological edge and the fierce playing partner of ol' Uncle Mo'.

The US took the last three points on Sunday, to transform a large deficit into an even match.

Paula Creamer sheds a little insight on to what the strong end meant to the Americans. Creamer, as quoted on CBSSports.com:

"Those last three points were huge for us. Just the momentum, the team room will have a great vibe. We're all very pumped up. We want to do really well. Especially going into singles, we feel like everybody is where we want to be."

Of course there are two sides to this story. The Americans are buoyed by new confidence, while the Europeans try and limit this fertile seed of doubt from blossoming into a full-on meltdown. That is much easier said than done. 

You can see this in their comments. They are trying to stay positive, but their late Saturday collapse looms over everything.

European captain Alison Nicholas, as quoted on CBSSports.com:

"I'm very confident in my players. I knew it was going to be all about tomorrow anyway. I know they're pretty up for it, and they're feeling good.

"Obviously, anyone would prefer to go in with the lead. But what it is what it is, and we deal with it, and we go forward and we go and try and win."

That quote is of desperate hope and false bravado.

Furthering the Europeans' dismay is the fact that they have a history of Sunday Solheim Cup failure. All-time Solheim points leader Laura Davies spoke on this after wrapping up her Saturday action. Davies, as quoted on CBSSports.com:

"We've messed up the singles so many times. This time we need to go out there and not worry."

The Europeans are rattled. To this, I have no doubt. The Americans should be worried, too. They are going to have to figure out where to put their new trophy.