SOLHEIM CUP: With a potent mixture of experienced veterans and a host of exciting young talent, the US women start firm favourites to regain the Solheim Cup starting at Crooked Stick today.

But, just as in last year's Ryder Cup, the European team, led by world number one Annika Sorenstam, is confident they can cause an upset and win for the first time on US soil.

Europe were record 17½-10½ winners in Sweden two years ago and Sorenstam said: "It is harder for us to win in America. But we have a good team, a good spirit and I think we have a great chance."

HOME INTERNATIONALS: Ireland produced a stunning performance to overwhelm Wales in the Home International series at Royal St Georges, Sandwich, yesterday and give themselves a chance of capturing the international title.

They powered their way to a 9-6 success and will today meet Scotland knowing that victory would almost certainly mean that the title is decided on a countback of individual points secured. Scotland achieved one of the major upsets of recent years by thrashing England, the defending champions and reigning European title-holders 11½-3½.

PGA TOUR: Jesper Parnevik shot a four-under-par 66 to take an early one-shot lead over Brant Jobe, Todd Hamilton and Scott Dunlap in the Bell Canadian Open at Shaughnessy CC, Vancouver yesterday. Vijay Singh opened with a three-over-par 73.

CHALLENGE TOUR: Michael Hoey's challenge for a second successive European Challenge Tour title got off to a solid, level-par start at the Telia Challenge Waxholm, Sweden, yesterday. The Belfast 26-year-old, who won his maiden professional title at theBA-CA Golf Open, trails Sweden's Christian Nilsson by seven shots after the first round, with David Jones the leading Irishman after a first round of two-under-par 71.

Justin Kehoe is one behind Hoey after a 74, while Dan Sugrue and Tim Rice had a disappointing first rounds, carding respective scores of 76 and 83.