Nobody knows more about the strains and stresses of playing in a Solheim Cup than Laura Davies.Incredibly, the 47-year-old has played in all 11 to date – and she’s desperate for the 12th version to produce a fourth European victory on Irish soil on Sunday afternoon.“The bookmakers make us massive underdogs,” said the English woman who is now averse to the odd flutter. “But underdogs do sometimes win and I think it will be close. The course is playing very long and that should suit us.“The key is to have a lead going into the singles. That is a must because the records show that the US is always strong on the last day. But it’s going to be a terrific battle. Davies admitted it was tough to recall much about her rookie appearance. “It was 1990 at Lake Nona (in Florida) and the event was much quieter,” she said. “The competition was fierce but there was nothing like the infrastructure that goes with the modern Solheim.”For Davies, three Solheims stand out: the victories at Dalmahoy (1992), Loch Lomond (2000) and Barseback (2003).“You try to forget the painful losses and remember the three wins,” she continued. “The fun you have with your team mates after achieving something that means so much to all of us.”For English rookie, Melissa Reid, Davies has been a long time role model and inspiration. “I’m new to this but Laura knows what it is all about. We are good friends and it’s great to have her around,” she said.Reid has already had double cause for celebration this week. On Sunday, she clinched her third Ladies’ European title at the Spanish Open – and Monday was her 24th birthday. A European triumph would complete the perfect hat-trick.“Winning last week was nice and has given me a lot of confidence,” she added. “I also feel I have a point to prove because I want to get onto the LPGA Tour. But it’s hard for European girls to make it.”While there are five rookies in the European line-up – Reid, Christel Boeljon, Caroline Hedwall, Sandra Gal and Azahara Munoz – Davies has no fears that they can step up to the task.“Suzann Pettersen is No.2 in the world and our standout player,” said Davies, who was the world’s best woman golfer in the mid-1990s. “But you can throw a blanket over the rest of us and we are all really good players. It’s up to us now to take our chances.”