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Norweigan, Suzann Pettersen, is being given the honour of captaining Team Europe at two consecutive Solheim Cups after it was announced that she will lead Europe’s best female golfers at the 2024 event in the United States.
The two-time major champion has been preparing for the 2023 event ever since being announced as captain back in November 2021. However, she now has an away Solheim Cup to look forward to as well.
This year’s Solheim Cup will take place in Spain with Team Europe looking to make it three wins on the bounce after victories in 2019 and 2021. Their most recent victory came on American soil after they defeated Team USA 15-13 in Ohio.
If Pettersen can lead Europe to victory on the Costa del Sol then it will be the first time in Solheim Cup history that Europe will have managed to win three consecutive events. Team USA, however, have managed this feat on two separate occasions since the competition was created in 1990.
If Pettersen can win both of her Solheim Cups as captain, though, then Europe will become the first team to win four in a row.
A unique honour
The reason why Pettersen has been given the job for two consecutive events is because the years in which the tournament takes place are changing. Historically, the Ryder Cup took place on a biennial basis on even years and the Solheim Cup on odds years.
However, after postponements caused by the pandemic, the Ryder Cup is moving to odd years which means the Solheim Cup is switching to even years. As a result, both Europe and USA are employing the same captain for the 2023 and 2024 tournaments.
Delighted to announce that @suzannpettersen has been named the 2024 @SolheimCupEuro captain 🤝🇪🇺#TeamEurope | #SuzannSigns
— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) February 21, 2023
While Pettersen is captaining Europe, Stacy Lewis is being tasked with winning the cup back from Europe this September and then winning it back on home soil next year.
Speaking about her appointment, Pettersen said:
“I love the Solheim Cup and it’s such a unique honour to be asked to captain Team Europe again in 2024. Being offered the role for a second time before the 2023 matches have been played is a little different to usual, as we usually play the competition every two years and announce the next captain after the competition.
But because of the changes to the schedule and having back-to-back Solheim Cups in consecutive years, it makes perfect sense. To be able to lead the team in Europe this year and then again next year in the US will be a great honour.”
The natural choice
Pettersen has a rich history in the competition and was at the centre of one of its most iconic moments. Back in 2019, in her last appearance at the competition, the Norweigan sunk the winning putt to give Team Europe its first victory since 2013.
Speaking about the decision to appoint Pettersen as captain for back-to-back Solheim Cups, the Ladies European Tour Chief Executive Alexandra Armas said:
“Suzann was a natural choice to lead the 2024 European Solheim Cup Team. She is doing a superb job in her preparations for the 2023 Solheim Cup in Spain.”
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