Norwegian Suzann Pettersen has been named captain of the European team for the 2023 Solheim Cup during the official handover ceremony at Finca Cortesín (Andalusia, Costa del Sol), where the next women's golf clash between the European and American teams will take place from September 18-24, 2023.

At the event, Alexandra Armas, CEO of the Ladies European Tour, and Liz Moore, president of the Ladies European Tour Joint Venture and representative of the LPGA and US Solheim Cup, presented the cup to the main supporters of the Spanish edition of this competition: Vicente Rubio, general manager of Finca Cortesín, Manuel Muñoz, general secretary for Tourism of the Junta de Andalucía, and Francisco Salado, president of the Diputación de Málaga, in the presence of representatives of all the institutions and entities that support it.

Pettersen, a two-time major winner, is a Solheim Cup icon, having represented Europe nine times as a player and twice as vice-captain. She has been part of five European victories, including the last two wins at Gleneagles, Scotland, and the Inverness Club in Ohio.

At the 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles, after an 18-month maternity leave, she was selected by Catriona Matthew, and the decisive moment of the competition came when Pettersen faced a birdie putt of just over two meters on Sunday's final hole. Under immense pressure, she sank it to return the trophy to Europe for the first time since 2013. The 14.5-13.5 victory equaled the narrowest margin in Solheim Cup history, and the Norwegian player announced her retirement from competition shortly afterward, saying that "it was impossible to top that.".

In September of this year, after the birth of her second child, Pettersen returned to the role of vice-captain under Matthew in Europe's 15-13 victory over the USA, their second win on the road. Her first experience in that position was at the 2017 Solheim Cup held at the Des Moines Golf and Country Club in Iowa, assisting Annika Sorenstam. On that occasion, Pettersen was scheduled to play, but an injury forced her to switch roles with Matthew before the competition began. As a player, Pettersen made her Solheim Cup debut at the Interlachen Golf and Country Club in Minnesota in 2002, her rookie year on the Ladies European Tour. She subsequently played in the next seven editions, contributing to European victories in 2003, 2011, and 2013, before playing a starring role in 2019 by sinking the winning putt, which she considers the best of her career.

The player, who reached number two in the Rolex Ranking -women's world ranking-, has accumulated 21 professional titles on the LET and LPGA Tour, including the 2007 McDonald's LPGA Championship and the 2013 Evian Championship, two majors, but her most cherished memories have been forged playing with passion and pride with her friends in the Solheim Cup.

“I’m thrilled to have been named Solheim Cup captain. It’s the greatest honor of my career,” Pettersen said. “My best golfing memories are from the Solheim Cup. You’re with your teammates, your friends, and you have a single goal. You fight for your teammates and share unforgettable moments.”.

“I’ve played with and been under the command of many wonderful captains since my debut in the competition 19 years ago. Every Solheim Cup has been special in its own way. You make lifelong friendships and create unforgettable memories.”.

“Each captain is different and offers unique qualities. I’m really looking forward to contributing my experience and working hard over the next 22 months to defend the cup on Spanish soil,” the Norwegian player concluded.

During the press conference, Alexandra Armas, CEO of the Ladies European Tour, said: “We are delighted that Suzann has accepted the role of captain for the 2023 Solheim Cup. She has been the heart and soul of Europe for almost 20 years, and with 21 points earned in nine appearances, her record speaks for itself. With her passion for the Solheim Cup, her love of golf, and her competitive spirit, she will inspire the team and fans around the world.”.

Once the baton was handed over and the captain was appointed, the representatives at the event from the Junta de Andalucía and Turismo Costa del Sol, essential pillars of the Solheim Cup 2023, highlighted the importance of the competition in bringing the image of this community and this region to the whole world, and even more so with such a recognizable figure at the helm of the European team.

“Today is a historic day for Andalusia, for the region, and for the golf industry nationwide,” said Manuel Muñoz, Secretary General for Tourism of the Andalusian Regional Government. “We are one step closer to the Solheim Cup, a milestone that, as we saw with the 1997 Ryder Cup, will mark a turning point for golf in Andalusia and Spain.”.

“Sport is pure emotion, and even more so in a format like the Solheim Cup match-play. In Andalusia, we give our all to share emotions, experiences, and happiness, so we are delighted to welcome Suzann Pettersen as the perfect captain for the 2023 Solheim Cup.”.

For his part, the president of the Málaga Provincial Council and of Costa del Sol Tourism, Francisco Salado, declared: “We can finally say that the dream of the Solheim Cup has come true. Although we couldn't be in Ohio due to travel restrictions, today we are here, with our new captain, on the course where the 2023 Solheim Cup will be played.”.

“At Turismo Costa del Sol we are convinced of the importance of continuing to promote women's golf, which is especially interesting for our destination because female golfers spend more and enjoy a wider range of complementary offerings.

“The dream of hosting the Solheim Cup on the Costa del Sol is getting closer and closer, and we are looking forward to welcoming everyone to celebrate with us in two years' time,” concluded Francisco Salado.

“It is an honor and a privilege to host the 2023 Solheim Cup and this handover of the competition baton, which has also served to introduce the next European captain. Finca Cortesín's ambition has always been to be a benchmark in the luxury resort segment, and the Solheim Cup provides us with an ideal platform to continue fulfilling that objective,” explained Vicente Rubio, General Manager of Finca Cortesín.

“The 2023 Solheim Cup is the most important women’s golf event in the world and the culmination of a journey that began by hosting other top-level competitions. It will demonstrate our commitment to excellence, which will undoubtedly be enjoyed by those who visit us from September 18 to 24, 2023,” concluded Vicente Rubio.

The 2023 Solheim Cup, an event of exceptional public interest whose official venue is Finca Cortesín, is sponsored by PING, Costa del Sol, and Rolex as global partners; and by Andalucía, Acosol, the Marbella City Council, and the Benahavís City Council as official partners, Reale Seguros as official sponsor, and Vithas as official medical service. Solán de Cabras, Eversheds Sutherland, and the Casares City Council are official suppliers. Marca and Radio Marca are official media outlets. The LET, LPGA, RFEG, CSD, RFGA, and Deporte & Business collaborate in its organization.

SOURCE: Solheim Cup 2023 Organization