Catriona Matthew Returns as Solheim Cup Captain for 2021

Posted on | by systems

Victorious 2019 skipper to lead Team Europe again in 2021 at Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio

Catriona Matthew has been reappointed as the European Solheim Cup captain for 2021.

The Scot, who will lead Team Europe at Inverness Golf Club in Toledo, Ohio, was unveiled in a news conference at The Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland, the scene of Europe’s triumph over the United States, in September.

Matthew will attempt to become Europe’s first multiple Solheim Cup-winning captain. She led Team Europe to a 14 ½ – 13 ½ victory in the 2019 Solheim Cup, which was the highest attended women’s golf event ever held in the UK and the most widely watched on television.

Matthew said that the thrilling event was the pinnacle of her career, even ‘blowing away’ her major victory in the 2009 Women’s British Open.

Reflecting on the dramatic victory and the task ahead, Matthew said: “Winning the Solheim Cup in Scotland was a dream come true, but backing that up with a win in America would be even better.

“It’s always harder to win on US soil, but I’m honoured to be tasked with the mission. I was lucky enough to be part of the first European team to win on US soil at Colorado Golf Club in 2013 and so know what’s possible.

“The American team played extremely well at Gleneagles, but what we accomplished this year and what it meant to people all around the world, will serve as further motivation. I’m excited to get down to business, build the next team and see what Europe is capable of at Inverness Club. It’s a very Scottish name, so I’m hoping that’s a good omen!

“Anyone who witnessed the 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles in Scotland can be left in no doubt that it was an outstanding international event which set a new benchmark for women’s golf, but this is the beginning of a new, two-year journey, so I’m going to gather all my experience, take it forward and do my best to bring the trophy home to Europe again in 2021.”

Matthew, who has 11 professional tournament victories, made her Solheim Cup debut in 1998 and played for Europe nine times in the competition. She has been instrumental in four Solheim Cup victories, three times as a competitor, in 2003, 2011 and 2013 and as the winning captain in 2019.

“I’m very pleased Catriona has agreed to captain the European Solheim Cup team in 2021 at Inverness Club,” said John Solheim, PING Chairman & CEO. “The leadership she showed in Gleneagles played a significant role in her team’s thrilling victory. She created a very cohesive team that had tremendous belief and confidence in their ability to win matches when it mattered most. Bringing that winning experience to America under her guidance will serve the European team very well as they set out to successfully defend the Solheim Cup.”

The 2019 European Solheim Cup team lavished praise on Matthew.

Suzann Pettersen, who holed an eight-foot putt to win on the 18th green in the final match at Gleneagles, said: “I’m thrilled that Catriona is returning as captain. She’s a class act and obviously inspires all the players and team members around her. She’s not only a Solheim Cup legend, but she’s also a great leader, friend and mother. She had the faith in me to choose me as a wildcard pick, for which I will forever be grateful and she deserves all the credit.”

Dame Laura Davies, a vice-captain in 2019, said: “Everyone enjoyed the match at Gleneagles so much and I think that Catriona was such a great captain that she deserves the chance to go and get the trophy back again. I am looking forward to another terrific contest in Ohio.”

The 17th edition of the Solheim Cup, to be played on Tuesday, August 31 to Monday, September 6, 2021, will continue to build on the tradition and history of the biennial transatlantic contest.

The Donald Ross-designed Inverness Club boasts a major championship pedigree having hosted many of the premier championships in golf including four U.S. Opens (1920, 1931, 1957, 1979), two PGA Championships (1986, 1993), the 2003 & 2011 U.S. Senior Open Championships and, most recently, the 2019 U.S. Junior Amateur.

Tickets for the 2021 Solheim Cup are on sale now at solheimcupusa.com.

About the Solheim Cup:

The Solheim Cup combines the tradition and prestige of the game of golf with passion for one’s country and continent. This biennial international match-play competition features the best U.S. players from the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour and the best European players from the Ladies European Tour (LET).

The Solheim Cup is named in honour of Karsten Solheim, the founder of Karsten Manufacturing Corporation, which makes PING golf equipment. In 1990, the Solheim family, in conjunction with the LPGA and the LET, developed the concept and became the title sponsor for the Solheim Cup. Today, the Global Partners of the Solheim Cup are PING, Rolex and Marathon Petroleum.

Held every two years, the event has grown into the most prestigious international women’s professional golf team event. The 2021 Solheim Cup will be held at Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio, on Sept. 4-6. In 2019, Team Europe took a thrilling 14.5-13.5 victory at Gleneagles in Scotland, a thrilling win that came down to the final putt. Team USA leads Team Europe, 10-6, all-time in Solheim Cup competition.

For more information, visit www.solheimcup.com.

About Inverness Club:

Inverness Club, located in Toledo, Ohio, has forged a place of distinction in professional golf. Opening in 1903, the historic club has been the site of twelve championships, including four U.S. Opens and two PGA Championships. Byron Nelson, who served as head golf professional from 1940 to 1944, recognised Inverness Club as his home course. S.P. Jermain, their first Board President, was credited with conceiving the idea of the Ryder Cup. The championship course was designed by the renowned architect Donald Ross. Inverness Club successfully hosted the 2019 U.S. Junior Amateur and is the host site of the 2021 Solheim Cup.

About Catriona Matthew:

CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Highest Rolex World Ranking: 8th
  • Turned Pro in 1995
  • 11 Professional Wins
  • 1 Major: 2009 Ricoh Women’s British Open
  • Represented Great Britain at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games
  • 10 -Time Solheim Cup Team Member
  • 2019 Solheim Cup Winning Captain

SOLHEIM CUP RECORD

Singles record: 6-2-1 (Win-loss-tie)

Points scored: 6 ½

Foursomes record: 8-5-4

Points scored: 10

Fourballs record: 4-4-3

Points scored: 5 ½

Overall record: 18-11-8

Total points scored: 22

Matches played: 37

Years played (9): 1998, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017.

MORE ABOUT CATRIONA

She won the Ricoh Women’s British Open just 11 weeks after giving birth to her second daughter. Her ability to juggle her career as a professional and still prioritise her family makes her a role model for women. In 2017 she was invited by Annika Sorenstam to be a Vice Captain for Europe in the Solheim Cup. Because of an injury, Catriona ended up playing, and won 3 points out of a possible 4. Shortly after, she was appointed to take over Annika’s role as European Team Captain for the 2019 Solheim Cup and led the team to a dramatic 14.5 – 13.5 victory at Gleneagles.