‘THE SOLHEIM CUP HAS GIVEN ME SOME OF MY BIGGEST HIGHS’
Suzann Pettersen on leading Europe to more Solheim Cup glory
Is being made the 2023 Solheim Cup captain the pinnacle of your career?
Well, it’s definitely a massive honour though I guess it was on the horizon with my history and record in the competition and being an assistant captain in 2021. I don’t think the golfing world was surprised, but I’m very humbled and honoured to captain such a great young and upcoming European team.
But two-time winner Catriona Matthew is going to be a hard act to follow...
Yeah, I’ve got big shoes to fill – Catriona was a brilliant captain, did a lot of things the right way and obviously had the right results. I can only learn from her and will try to take the best bits from all the captains down the years.
You’ve never been one to shy away from a big test, though.
No, which is good because it’s going to be quite a big challenge to make it three wins in a row. But 2019 and last year really showcased what the European team is all about. Gleneagles was definitely a great team effort, winning the last four matches, and in Inverness last year it was us against all of them (US). Again, it showed what load the European team can carry and how they handle the pressure. They love it and live in the moment. I just have to step it up and make sure the players are ready for it. But what a great opportunity and challenge, to make history on European soil. Hopefully, the crowds will be our 15th club.
A hat-trick of victories would be quite an achievement...
I’ve always said that on any given day, these players can take each other out and obviously you need a bit of luck, the bounce of the ball, and at the end of the day it’s usually one or two putts defining the whole week. You’ve got to make every shot count and I think the spirit and the game face these girls have is so much fun to watch, but the US girls have it too. So it will be tough.
What does your role actually involve? Can you define that?
That’s hard, but I think I have to find a way to create the best team atmosphere for the players and do what I can for them. I think my most important job in the earlier stages will be to travel a bit more to build relationships with the girls. Obviously I already know a lot of them, but in two years it could be quite different so it’s important to get to know the youngsters coming through and make them comfortable. I’m keen to see young, new players playing their way into the team.
What does the Solheim Cup mean to you in the context of your whole career?
It’s provided some of my biggest highs and some of my toughest lows, you win matches, you lose matches. I’ve learnt a lot but most importantly I think the Solheim helps define young players. I learnt to love the big moments, the big stages, and you don’t really know that until you actually get thrown into it. I remember my first Solheim in 2002 at Interlachen in Minnesota… I was five down with five to play against Michele Redman. I tied the match and thought that was the most important half-point I ever got!
You retired in the afterglow of that Solheim Cup victory in 2019. How much are you missing playing?
I miss competing, but I don’t miss the frustration and the hard work that needs to go in to stand on that 1st tee knowing that your game is ready to go. I have no regrets.