It’s been nearly two years since it was announced that Suzann Pettersen would take the helm for the European Team at the 2023 Solheim Cup.
The Norwegian and the Solheim Cup go hand in hand and it’s a competition she admits defined her career.
Having played in nine Solheim Cups, been a Vice Captain twice and now leading the team, Pettersen is excited for the week at Finca Cortesin to finally get underway.
“We’re all very ready to go,” she said. “I don’t think there’s anything to hide under a chair that if you look on paper, we have the strongest team that I’ve ever been a part of.
“That’s based on great performances over the last few years from all the players. With good results, there’s also expectations, but these girls are so up for it, so we can’t wait.”
Stacy Lewis is Pettersen’s counterpart for this year’s edition of the Solheim Cup and next year’s, which is back on U.S. soil.
And having had similar journeys throughout their golf careers, the Norwegian is relishing the chance to go up against the American.
She explained: “It’s great going up against Stacy. I’ve had a great journey with her on the LPGA. We’re pretty much the same age, we’re both now a mom, and we’ve had fairly similar careers.
“She has a couple of majors, I have a couple of majors, we’ve played several Solheim Cups between the two of us. That’s going to be fun.
“But I really can’t wait to see our players go out there and really showcase how good European golf is at this point and stage. Our team reflects kind of the hard work that’s been put into junior golf, Ladies European Tour, and I think it’s just now we’re seeing the results of all the hard work that’s been put in.
“I really can’t wait for Friday morning to let our team go out there and really do what they do best, and we’ll see where that leads. But it’s going to be a fun couple of days ahead.”
Finca Cortesin will provide an excellent spectacle as Europe look to win their third Solheim Cup in a row.
And Pettersen knows it will be a test, but is hopeful that the players and spectators enjoy the golf course.
She added: “The course is a challenge to get around, but I mean, now that we’ve been around it a few times, I actually think everyone thinks it’s not as bad once you kind of go out there and you kind of go with the flow.
“I think you will actually see a lot of spectators walking around a lot more than what we anticipated, at least that’s what we have seen so far through the practice rounds. We’ll make it work. There will be a couple of rides for the players. But I think overall, I think it’s going to actually work out quite fine.”
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