Anna Nordvist, one of Suzann Pettersen’s four European vice-captains, is enjoying her playing vice-captaincy, but is more focused on her playing duties than participating in leadership meetings this week.
The experienced Swede is tackling things differently this year after learning on the job at Finca Cortesín in Spain 12 months ago.
She said: “Last year was pretty tough for me, because I guess I wasn’t in the best of places in my life at the time. But I feel like this year, given that we’re basically the same captains team, we’ve added Mel Reid; part of the reason is because I’m playing vice.
“I feel like I’m a part of a lot of things going into this week, and this week I’m more as a player this year, so I think that’s the biggest difference.
“Suzann’s just been really prepared this year, so I think just making a lot of good decisions and just kind of doing her thing.”
The three-time major champion, who made her Solheim Cup debut as a rookie in 2009, expressed her respect for the captain.
“Most of the girls on this team haven’t actually played with Suzann on Tour. I don’t think they quite understood how intimidating she was and what a great competitor. I think she’s the best competitor I’ve ever had the privilege to play with.
“I got to play with her as my best ball partner in 2009, my first one, and that was kind of a dream come true, because that was my first one and I ended up playing on the same team as basically all my childhood stars like Sophie (Gustafson), Helen (Alfredsson), Laura (Davies) and Suzann. So it was really cool to kind of be part of that.
“I’ve known Suzann for many years, and she’s one of my best friends. Just being able to see that passion that she always used to have on the course inside the ropes, and now she kind of brings it in. I think she’s been a little bit more comfortable as last year went on, and then going into this year, just being her authentic self.
“I think we all kind of miss her on Tour, and it’s just been really great to be part of that, just as a vice captain and as a player. I think most players are getting to really know Suzann and kind of draw energy and all her experience that she has from the Solheim Cups over the years.”
This is Nordqvist’s ninth Solheim Cup and her fifth on American soil. She was a member of the two victorious Solheim Cup sides that won away at Colorado Golf Club in 2013 and at Inverness Club in 2021.
Although the United States are higher ranked as a team in the Rolex Rankings than Europe, she said that camaraderie is one of the key strengths of the European team that has helped them to earn the Cup for the last three contests.
“I think us coming into this week, I think the team spirit is always one of our strengths, and it just feels very natural to us. It’s only Wednesday, and we’ve had a lot of fun so far. So, it’s just nice to see everything coming together and a lot of the hard work.
“I mean, winning the Solheim Cup, there’s no better feeling. So doing it on American soil when you have the crowds against you… but we’re all here as a team, and I think we’re all very excited for the challenge that’s ahead of us this week.”
