The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Matthew to be given six wildcard picks for Ohio
GOLF: Europe’s team captain to be assisted by Pettersen at Solheim Cup in 2021
European captain Catriona Matthew is to have six wildcard picks for her team at next year’s Solheim Cup, it has been announced.
Team organisers have decided to increase the number of the captain’s selections for the event at Inverness Golf Club in Toledo, Ohio, by two due to the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Europe are the current holders of the cup after their victory – also under Matthew’s captaincy – at Gleneagles last year.
Matthew said: “We actually have changed our qualification for this match because of the kind of impact on the schedule this year.
“We’ve changed it to two from the LET (Ladies’ European Tour) points, four from the world rankings and six picks.
“We just felt, with the players not playing as much and all the schedules being up in the air, that it was just nice to do that and give you a bit more options and what you might do going forward next year.”
By contrast, United States captain Pat Hurst is set to have just two picks, although she has not completely given up hope that may be changed.
She said: “It sounds like they don’t want to change the points.
“Maybe we can do more picks. I think four would be great. I don’t know if we’ll get that.”
Meanwhile, a year after holing the winning putt in the Solheim Cup before promptly announcing the end of her playing career, Suzann Pettersen admitted to missing the camaraderie of the golf circuit but said retirement had done wonders for her sleep pattern.
Just over 12 months ago, Pettersen rolled in a birdie putt on the 18th to defeat Marina Alex and give Europe victory over the United States at Gleneagles.
Almost immediately after sinking the decisive shot the Norwegian announced it would be her last in professional golf, but she will return to the Solheim Cup in
Toledo next year as Catriona Matthew’s vice-captain.
The timing of Pettersen’s retirement came as a surprise but the 39-year-old is happy with her decision.
“The everyday structure I really miss, waking up always knowing what’s on the schedule to do,” she said.
“I miss the girls. I miss being out on Tour, travelling from week to week. You kind of miss that buzz.
“The one thing I’m not missing is the frustration and the sleepless nights trying to figure out how to play this game, and waking up not feeling guilty or bad that you haven’t done enough.
“But I do miss the feeling of being ready, when you’ve felt the best and couldn’t wait to go to the first tee and tee it up.”
Next year’s Solheim Cup will come just three weeks before the Ryder Cup, postponed by 12 months due to the coronavirus pandemic. “The Solheim Cup is kind of a standalone event now,” said Matthew.
“It’s got so much bigger probably in the last 20 years.”