Why tinker with a winning formula? In Suzann Pettersen’s case, the need for change was kept to a minimal as the Norwegian named her four wild card picks for next month’s Solheim Cup at the Robert Trent Jones Club in Virginia. Europe will be chasing a historic “four-peat” in the match against the United States in bringing a team that has just two changes from the tournament in Spain last year.
Pettersen named Georgia Hall, veteran Anna Nordqvist, and Emily Kristine Pedersen in her first three picks before revealing rookie Albane Valenzuela of Switzerland in what was arguably the only slight surprise.
The quartet of captain’s picks will join automatic qualifiers Leona Maguire, Celine Boutier, Maja Stark, Linn Grant, Carlota Ciganda and Madelene Sagstrom – who all qualified off the Rolex world points list – and Charley Hull and Esther Henseleit, who qualified directly off the LET Solheim Cup points listing.
Henseleit and Valenzuela, the first golfer from Switzerland to make a Solheim Cup team, are the only newcomers (replacing Gemma Dryburgh and Caroline Hedwall from the 2023 winning team at Finca Cortesin) in what Pettersen saw as bringing some “fresh blood” into her team.
Overall, though, Europe’s team is one of experience and many of those – including Maguire who was the star player in 2021 and who was the only one to play in all five sessions in Spain – know what is required to take on what will be a star-studded USA team, headed by Nelly Korda, for the match on September 13th-15th.
“We are starting to get a line-up with a lot of experience and that’s what we need to bring to the US. Playing away is not easy, we all know that, these girls know how to get it done,” said Pettersen.
Henseleit, from Germany, played her way into an automatic place with a strong run which saw her win a silver medal in the Olympics in Paris and finish runner-up in the Scottish Open. She has risen to number 30 in the latest Rolex world rankings.
Of opting for Valenzuela, Pettersen said: “It’s fantastic to bring Albane into the team, she has played some solid golf over the last two years and especially this year has proven she’s worthy of a spot on this team. She is a great ball striker and brings a lot of good energy to the team room.”
Nordqvist will be playing in her ninth Solheim Cup. “Anna has the experience, she has a great record in the Solheim Cup which speaks for itself, and she knows what it takes,” said Pettersen of a player who will also fill one of the vice-captaincy roles, as Nordqvist also did last year in Spain.
“This is beyond my wildest childhood dreams. This tournament has meant so much to me and my family over the years and the feeling you get stepping up to the first tee box can’t be described in words,” said Nordqvist, the 37-year-old Swede who partnered with Maguire in both foursomes in Spain. “I have enjoyed the dual role as a playing vice-captain the last two years and learning how much work goes into this event behind the scenes and I’m looking forward to teeing it up.”
For Maguire, who has become a trailblazer for Irish women golfers, it will be a third Solheim Cup and all she knows is about being part of a successful team.
This week, Maguire – a winner of the Aramco-London Series tournament on the Ladies European Tour earlier this summer – will be the headline act in the KPMG Women’s Irish Open which takes place at Carton House in Maynooth, Co Kildare.
Indeed, two of the Europe Solheim Cup team will be competing over the O’Meara course as Hall – whose Major win came in the Women’s British Open in 2018 – will also be in action.
Naturally, Hall was delighted to get the call-up from Pettersen after narrowly failing to secure an automatic place on the team: “I love being part of Team Europe, this will be my fifth Solheim Cup and it’s always great to be able to represent Europe,” said Hall.
“Winning the last three and being part of that, you always want to do it again. I’m happy that Suzann has picked me, and I hope I bring my experience to the US in a few weeks’ time,” added Hall.
European Solheim Cup team: Celine Boutier (Fra), Carlota Ciganda (Esp), Linn Grant (Swe), Esther Henseleit (Ger), Georgia Hall (Eng)*, Charley Hull (Eng), Leona Maguire (Irl), Anna Nordqvist (Swe)*, Emile Kristine Pedersen (Den)*, Madelene Sagstrom (Swe), Maja Stark (Swe), Albane Valenzuela (Sui)*.
*denotes wild card pick
