Josh Antmann: The stars are aligning for Europe and Suzann Pettersen
Suzann Pettersen of Team Europe celebrates her team winning the Solheim Cup during the final day singles matches of the Solheim Cup at Gleneagles on September 15, 2019 in Auchterarder, Scotland. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
In the history of the Solheim Cup, the European side have never won three in a row. They had a glorious chance in Germany, in 2015, to get the hat-trick but it ended in heartbreak as Juli Inkster’s American side took the narrowest of victories.
However, I think 2023 will see the first European three-peat. This is the first time, for a while, that Europe are not the underdogs. It’s part of an incredible two weeks of golf which includes the Ryder Cup and that fortnight will be something I’ll talk about in another column.
There’s a number of reasons behind my confidence and it doesn’t bore down to one single thing. I had similar feelings about the USA team heading into the last Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits. The stars seem to be aligning perfectly and Suzann Pettersen has an abundance of talent at her disposal.
The leading two players from the Ladies European Tour’s points list automatically qualify along with the six highest-ranked players from the world rankings, with the final four players named as captain’s picks.
Linn Grant of Sweden and the European team in action during the 2017 Ping Junior Solheim Cup matches at the Des Moines Golf Country Club on August 16, 2017 in West Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)
There will be returning players from the victorious 2021 side alongside a number of rookies. It’s two of those newcomers who excite me the most and have produced some of the most scintillating golf from the last 12 months. Swedish duo Linn Grant and Maja Stark dominated the Ladies European Tour last season, each winning four times and have almost certainly booked their ticket to Finca Cortesin.
“The stars seem to be aligning perfectly and Suzann Pettersen has an abundance of talent at her disposal.”
Stark has continued that great form with a runner up at the Tournament of Champions on the LPGA Tour and then went one better with a win at the Lalla Meryem Cup on the LET just a couple of weeks ago. Linn Grant’s win at the Scandinavian Mixed last year, beating the men by a staggering 9 shots, was one of the most important moments in golf of recent memory.
Maja Stark of Sweden talks with her caddie during the second round of the CME Group Tour Championship at Tiburon Golf Club on November 18, 2022 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
All aspects of their game impresses me and I can only see them improving. This is the first time we’ll see them on the big stage and I’ll be interested to see if Pettersen puts them together on day 1.
It’s hard to see how the likes of Charley Hull, Georgia Hall, Celine Boutier and Leona Maguire miss out. The Irish woman was truly outstanding at the Inverness Club in 2021 winning 4.5 out of a possible 5 and it seemed every putt she looked at went in. Her passion and competitiveness was captivating and embodied the spirit of the European side.
European Solheim rookies seem to have a fearlessness about them. They’re ready to go and play their heart out and that’s exactly the mentality they need.
The experience of Carlota Ciganda and Anna Nordqvist, who is currently a vice captain, will be vital in what could be quite a young European side. Nordqvist is looking to play her way into the team and, with her impressive Solheim record, she will be an important asset to Pettersen.
I’m not completely dismissing the USA team, as statistically they have a better average world ranking than the Europeans.
Nelly Korda, is without doubt, the star of Stacy Lewis’ side and she will get most of the attention. Quite rightly too as she’s arguably the best player in the world and has won nearly 70% of the matches she’s played in the Solheim Cup.
There’s major winners too on the USA team including Danielle Kang and Jennifer Kupcho. Both have an unbelievable ruthlessness about them and are to be feared. But there’s definitely a changing in the guard in this USA side with a bit of inexperience and maybe not the players coming through like previous years. But this could actually work to their advantage as they’re less in the spotlight, can knuckle down and gel better as a team.
“European Solheim rookies seem to have a fearlessness about them. They’re ready to go and play their heart out and that’s exactly the mentality they need.”
Catriona Matthew has been instrumental in the last two victories for Team Europe and I think she’s passed the baton onto the perfect woman. Pettersen has been on nine Solheim teams and signed off her playing career with the winning point during the dramatic 2019 contest at Gleneagles. Suzann came on the Sky Sports Podcast, along with Anne Van Dam, at the start of that week and I could immediately sense the passion and enthusiasm she has for the game. She was a joy to talk to and a lot more laid back then I was expecting. I have no doubt that all the players will have the upmost respect for her and if just a tiny percentage of the energy and adrenaline she possesses can rub off onto the team then good things should happen.
Team Europe Captain Catriona Matthew celebrates with the Solheim Cup after their win over Team USA during day three of the Solheim Cup at the Inverness Club on September 06, 2021 in Toledo, Ohio.(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Add to that the fact it’s a home tie for Europe at Finca Cortesin combined with the, ever, raucous crowd should mean the European team go into this years Solheim Cup full of confidence. It’s still early in the year, and plenty can happen between now and September, but there are good signs for Team Europe.