Solheim Cup: & # 039; About eight players & # 039; behind Catriona Matthew & # 039; s European wildcards

Catriona Matthew is "calmly self-assured" despite the fact that Europe is "against it"

European captain Catriona Matthew says that "about eight players" are still competing for her four wildcard selections during the Solheim Cup in September.

The Scot will make her debut as a captain at Gleneagles who will face the United States nine times as a player.

"I have quite a few names in mind," she said. "With two majors coming up, a lot can change.

" Players play in positions and I have four choices, so it's just to see who's in shape. "

Matthew admits that she faces a major challenge in reducing the candidates to four.

" It's an exciting time this coming couple of weeks, "49-year-old BBC told Scotland. "I think these three weeks in Europe we will see who really performs and who really wants those places. "

The US will have the best ranked player on Gleneagles, with Lexi Thompson currently number four, and have three others in a top 20 containing one European – Spain & # 39; s Carlota Ciganda at 14.

"We will fight it, but I am confident – we have many players who are doing well," said Matthew.]

"The Americans always come out with a strong team – of course Lexi is their Dear. "

Matthew loves the" enormous honor "of being a captai for the first time – and can derive that confidence from the fact that Europe has twice won the Solheim Cup in Scotland, at Dalmahoy in 1992 and Loch Lomond in 2000.

The Scot, who was previously vice-captain, is also encouraged by the form of Anne Van Dam, Azahara Munoz, Celine Boutier and Bronte Law.

"Carlota played well, Anne played well this week, Azahara played well all year and we have am a pair of rookies, Celine and Bronte, who both won on the LPGA Tour this year, "she added.