Eight players have automatically qualified to represent the European team at the 2023 Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin (Costa del Sol, Andalusia) following the conclusion of the ISPS HANDA World Invitational Presented by AVIV Clinics.
Spain will once again have a player in the Old Continent team, as Carlota Ciganda will make her sixth consecutive appearance with the European team.
“The Solheim Cup is my favorite week of the year and to be able to play at home in Spain is a dream come true,” said Ciganda, who captured her seventh LET title earlier this season.
“I love playing for the team and I’m very excited to be able to compete in front of my home crowd. I hope a lot of fans come out to cheer us on and that we can inspire them for the next generation.”
France’s Celine Boutier leads the LET points standings with 264.57 points thanks in part to back-to-back victories at the Amundi Evian Championship and the Women’s Scottish Open.
Boutier, who made her Solheim Cup debut in 2019, has won 5.5 points in her seven matches in the previous two editions, both of which were victories for the European team.
“I am really looking forward to being part of the European team at the 2023 Solheim Cup. I’ve had a great year winning three tournaments, one of them the Evian Championship,” said the Frenchwoman.
The new Evian champion is accompanied by Sweden’s Maja Stark, who took second place in the Ladies European Tour ranking with 262.42 points.
Stark, who turned professional in August 2021, has won six times on the LET in the last two years, including the 2022 edition of the co-sanctioned ISPS HANDA World Invitational, which secured her entry to the LPGA Tour.
The 23-year-old was part of the PING Junior Solheim Cup team in 2017, just six years ago, and will now play as a “rookie” in the 2023 Solheim Cup, which will take place September 18-24.
“It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, to represent Europe at the Solheim Cup and I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be amazing,” said Stark.
Six players have qualified for the European team through the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings, with England’s Charley Hull leading the way.
This will be the sixth consecutive appearance for Hull, who made his debut as a 17-year-old and has won three times.
After an outstanding performance as a rookie in 2021, where she scored 4.5 points out of 5, Ireland’s Leona Maguire returns to the European squad.
“I am really excited to be part of the European team at the 2023 Solheim Cup. I had an amazing time in Toledo, it far exceeded my expectations, but I’m looking forward to being part of the team on the Costa del Sol and playing in front of the home fans. It’s great to be flying the Irish flag again and I hope to have a lot of support in Spain,” said Maguire.
England’s Georgia Hall has qualified for her fourth Solheim Cup after making her debut in 2017 and emerging champion in the last two editions.
There will be another “rookie” on the team, as Linn Grant secured qualification for her first Solheim Cup in September at Finca Cortesin.
The Swedish star has won five times on the LET in the last two seasons, including the Race To Costa del Sol, and the 2022 Scandinavian Mixed, where she became the first woman to win a DP World Tour event, and recently claimed her first LPGA Tour victory.
“I’m so proud! It’s the first Solheim Cup I get to play in. It’s obviously been a dream. We’re a great team, I love Suzann and all our vice-captains, and I think we’re going to have a really fun week. I’m really looking forward to it,” explained Grant.
For her part, Anna Nordqvist will be a player, and vice-captain in Spain, after she secured her spot with the last automatic qualifying spot through the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings.
The Swede will be making her eighth consecutive appearance in the competition having earned 15.5 points in the 27 matches she has played.
Nordqvist commented, “I am very proud to take on the vice-captaincy and to be playing this year. I don’t think it’s a secret how much I love the Solheim Cup and that it brings out the best in me. It’s always my biggest goal every two years to make the team and try to help Europe win. There’s no feeling like stepping on the first tee.”
Speaking about her team, captain Suzann Pettersen said: “Right now I am very happy with my team for the 2023 Solheim Cup. Congratulations to the eight players who have qualified automatically, we have a lot of experience in the squad and it’s great to have our rookies Maja and Linn representing Europe for the first time.
We have never had such a strong group of players in terms of world rankings. The European players have played very well this year and have put in great performances across the board.”
Pettersen will complete his team and unveil his four picks on Tuesday, August 22 live on Sky Sports at 4:00 p.m. with the goal of Europe achieving its third consecutive Solheim Cup.
Leave a Reply