Nordqvist counting on home support with Solheim Cup on horizon

ANNA NORDQVIST has found her perfect match off the golf course and her enduring relationship with the Solheim Cup looks pretty rosy too as the Swede locked up a sixth European team appearance at the conclusion of the Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open last night.

The 32-year-old, who is engaged to former Scottish Amateur champion Kevin McAlpine, was just 0.01 points ahead of Celine Boutier in the last automatic qualifying position on the world rankings heading into the final counting event at The Renaissance.

A share of 13th on a nine-under aggregate was enough to get the job done for Nordqvist, with Boutier finishing in 25th and left hoping she has done enough to gain one of the four picks from the European skipper, Catriona Matthew.

Those wild cards will be announced today at Gleneagles, the host venue for next month’s match with the USA, but Nordqvist doesn’t have to worry about a nailnibbling call from the captain.

Two years ago at Des Moines, the two-time major winner was involved in a brilliant shoot-out for the ages with American rival Lexi Thompson as the duo traded birdies in a memorable singles tussle which was eventually halved.

“That will probably live as one of the greatest Solheim matches so to have been a part of that was pretty cool,” said Nordqvist. “I have lots of good memories of that. It still means as much to get in a Solheim Cup team now as it did the first time.

“It’s the atmosphere and everything. You can’t beat it. The more teams you’ve been on, you don’t want to miss out on one as you know how good it is.

“I knew it was close between Celine and myself as she was right behind me. I feel pretty good now and I know they [the Solheim Cup captain and her assistants] believe in me.”

Nordqvist’s other half McAlpine, the son of the former Dundee United goalkeeper Hamish, used to caddie for the aforementioned Thompson and was her bagman when she went up against Nordqvist at Des Moines.

With his family based in Perthshire, McAlpine will be rallying the troops for the Gleneagles showdown.

“There will be a lot of support,” said Nordqvist. “I’ve spent quite a bit of time outside the golfing world in Scotland which is good.

“I’m well aware of his dad’s footballing career. He [Hamish] is quite a good golfer but Kevin and himself lost last Monday when we all played at Alyth.”