ROOKIES GET CAT NOD FOR CUP DEFENCE

SKIPPER Catriona Matthew has selected a trio of Solheim Cup rookies for Europe’s title defence.

They face United States next week at the Inverness Club in Ohio with newcomers Leona Maguire of Ireland, Denmark’s Nanna Madsen and Finland’s Matilda Castren among the six captain’s selections.

Maguire and Castren are the first players from their respective nations to compete for Europe in the tournament.

Explaining her selection, Scot Matthew said: “Leona has had a fantastic year this year. She’s got that real grittiness. She’ll be a solid, a never-give-up type.”

Maguire admitted she was “humbled” to become the first Irish player to compete in the Solheim Cup after being given a wild card by Matthew.

She said: “I’m excited, it is something that I have looked forward to.

“I have played the Junior Solheim Cup in 2009 and 2011. It was an incredible thing to be part of the junior side so to be on the ‘big’ team is something really special and no Irish person has ever done it before. It’s going to be great for Irish golf.

“Catriona is a legend in her own right, a winning Solheim Cup captain and a major winner. For her to think I’m good enough to be on her team is quite humbling and an honour.”

Matthew also selected Solheim veterans Madelene Sagstrom of Sweden, who finished tied for second at the women’s

British Open at the weekend, England’s Mel Reid and Celine Boutier of France.

Joining Team Europe through automatic qualifying were England’s Charley Hull and Georgia Hall, Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist, who secured her third major triumph at The Open on Sunday, German Sophia Popov, Spain’s Carlota Ciganda and Denmark’s Emily Kristine Pedersen.

World No.1 Nelly Korda and Danielle Kang had already secured their place on the US team and were joined by Ally Ewing, Austin Ernst, Lexi Thompson, Jessica Korda, Megan Khang, Lizette Salas and Jennifer Kupcho.

US captain Pat Hurst selected Brittany Altomare, Mina Harigae and Yealimi Noh as her wild cards.