European captain Suzann Pettersen today announced live on Sky Sports and Golf Channel her four picks to complete the European team line-up for the 2023 Solheim Cup.
The previous Sunday, after the conclusion of the ISPS HANDA World Invitational presented by AVIV Clinics, the direct qualification for the European team was closed and it only remained for Pettersen to decide which four players would join the eight initially qualified, which were Madelene Sagström, Gemma Dryburgh, Emily Kristine Pedersen and Caroline Hedwall.
Madelene Sagström will play her third Solheim Cup after making her debut in 2017 and being part of the winning team last edition in Toledo (Ohio, USA), but this edition will be a new experience for her, as it will be the first tournament she plays on European soil.
“I am very proud and honored that Suzann has chosen me,” said the Swedish player. “Playing my third Solheim Cup and first on European soil is a great achievement for me and something I have always dreamed of. I’m looking forward to representing Europe in Spain and making some amazing memories with the team – let’s go!”
Scotland’s Gemma Dryburgh will be the third rookie on the team along with two other qualified rookies in Maja Stark and Linn Grant. Dryburgh won her first LPGA Tour title last November by winning the Toto Japan Classic and just a few weeks ago recorded her best result in a major with an eighth place finish at the Amundi Evian Championship.
“I am delighted to have been chosen for my first Solheim Cup,” said the Scot. “Playing for the European team has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember and to make it a reality is an amazing feeling. It really makes all the hard work over the years worthwhile and I can’t wait to tee it up with the rest of my teammates.”
Denmark’s Emily Kristine Pedersen will also play her third Solheim Cup, after she made her debut in 2017 and holed the putt that sealed victory on U.S. soil in 2021.
“I’m very proud to have been one of the chosen ones,” noted the 2020 Race to Costa del Sol champion. “I’m very excited because Suzann is someone I’ve always looked up to. I have yet to play a Solheim Cup in Europe and I was really looking forward to this one. Spain has a very special place in my heart, I love the country and I am very happy to be able to represent Europe once again.”
Meanwhile, Caroline Hedwall will be making her fifth appearance at the biennial event and her first since 2019 after being chosen by Pettersen.
The Swedish star claimed her seventh LET title by winning the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España to close last season and is looking forward to playing in Spain again.
“I’m really excited to play another Solheim Cup,” commented Hedwall. “It’s my favorite tournament, so I’m really looking forward to it. I have very fond memories of the end of last year in Andalucia, I hadn’t thought much about the Solheim Cup until I won, and after that, it was a goal for this season. I’m very happy that it has become a reality and very excited to be playing in Spain again.”
Regarding her four picks, Suzann Pettersen did not hide her satisfaction: “I am very happy with my team! Madelene was an obvious choice; she was placed very close to the eight qualifiers, she is experienced and a great team player. As for Gemma, it’s been great to follow her performances this year, she has a very consistent game, she kicks very well and has a great personality.”
“Emily is a fierce competitor, especially in match play, she is experienced and I know what she can bring to the team. And as for Caroline, I can’t think of a more competitive player. I’m delighted to have her on our team. She complements it perfectly with her game and her Solheim Cup numbers.”
The four chosen by the European captain will be joined by France’s Celine Boutier and Sweden’s Maja Stark, who qualified thanks to LET Solheim Cup points, as well as England’s Charley Hull and Georgia Hall, Ireland’s Leona Maguire, Sweden’s Linn Grant and Anna Nordqvist and Spain’s Carlota Ciganda, who made the team through their positions in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings.
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