Following the conclusion of the Ricoh Women’s British Open, respective Solheim Cup captains Meg Mallon and Liselotte Neumann addressed the assembled media in St Andrews to introduce their qualified team members for the 13th edition of the Matches, in addition to revealing who would earn a reprieve through their wildcard picks.
With the United States’ qualified ten players looking extremely strong on paper, headed by Stacy Lewis who claimed her second major championship at St Andrews, Captain Mallon supplemented her base with her two allotted wildcard picks, which she awarded to rookie Gerinia Piller and comparative veteran Michelle Wie. There will be disappointment for Jennifer Johnson, who fell out of the last spot available from the Rolex World Rankings, and was overtaken by Morgan Pressell who finished in a tie for fourth at the Old Course. However, it is a strong looking side that will be hoping to regain the Cup that they lost at Killeen Castle in Ireland in 2011.
For Europe, in many ways this is a chasing of the guard moment, although an expected one. English four-time major winner Larua Davies, who has participated in all 12 of the previous Solheims, is not part of the team this time around. Nor for that matter is Sophie Gustafson, who has been a member of Team Europe for the last eight consecutive editions. Six rookies are on the side, which is one more than the previous edition in 2011. However, Neumann has a side that also featues considerable experience, with the likes of Suzann Pettersen and Catriona Matthew serving as team matriarchs, with rookies such as 17-year-old Charley Hull bringing a youthful and fresh flair to a European Team that is hoping to become the first to win the Cup in the United States.
Team Europe
Suzann Pettersen (Norway)
Qualifying as the leading player on the European Points List, the 2007 LPGA Championship winner will be making her eighth appearance in the Solheim, having been part of the side each year since her debut in 2002. Ranked 3rd in the Rolex World Rankings, the Norwegian played a crucial role in 2011 after narrowly defeating Michelle Wie in the Singles, and has a career Win-Loss-Halve record of 12–8–5.
Carlota Ciganda (Spain)
The 23-year-old Spaniard will be making her rookie appearance in the Solheim, coming a year after her extraordinary achievement of leading the Ladies European Tour’s money list in her first season. Having won in a playoff over Charley Hull in Germany back in June, Ciganda has maintained her excellent form into 2013.
Catriona Matthew (Scotland)
The 2009 Women’s British Open champion will be making her seventh appearance in the Solheim, having went unbeaten at Killeen Castle. With a career record of 12-7-6, Matthew will provide considerable experience to the side. Having played her way back inside the top ten of the Rolex Rankings at the age of 43, the gritty Scot will be a valuable member of Team Europe.
Caroline Masson (Germany)
The 24-year-old German will be making her debut in the Solheim. Winning once on the LET in 2012 in South Africa, Masson is 58th in the Rolex Rankings, and will surely be excited by the prospect of being part of Team Europe. Masson attended one year at the University of Oklahoma, so will feel comfortable playing in the United States.
Beatriz Recari (Spain)
The 26-year-old Spaniard will be making her debut in the Solheim, coming off a breakthrough season during which she has won twice on the LPGA Tour, most recently at the Marathon Classic where she held off the challenge of popular American, Paula Creamer.
Anna Nordqvist (Sweden)
The 2009 LPGA Championship winner will be making her third appearance in the Solheim, providing valuable experience in a team that possesses a large contingent of rookies. The 26-year-old Swede has a 4-4-0 record in the biennial competition, and will serve as an important member of Team Europe.
Karine Icher (France)
The 34-year-old Frenchwoman will be making her return to the Solheim after an 11-year absence. Despite not having won a professional title since 2005, Icher has compiled three top tens on the LPGA Tour in 2013, and Captain Neumann will value her considerable experience.
Azahara Munoz (Spain)
The 25-year-old Spaniard made an impressive debut last time out at Killeen Castle, defeating the experienced Angela Stanford in the Singles to help Europe clinch the Solheim Cup. Ranked 27th in the World, Munoz’s talent will be an asset to Europe, particularly considering her credentials for matchplay were further confirmed by her victory at the Sybase Matchplay Championship last year.
Caroline Hedwall (Sweden)
Earning a crucial half-point against Ryan O’Toole in 2011, the powerful 24-year-old Swede returns to the Solheim as a Captain’s Pick after a season that saw her finish in a tie for third at the Kraft Nabisco Championship.
Jodi Ewart-Shadoff (England)
The Englishman has battled hard to make her way in the professional game, eventually winning the LET Final Qualifying School in 2012. Since then she has continued her progression, finishing inside the top ten in three occasions on the LPGA Tour, including a tie for fourth at the U.S. Women’s Open, and a tie for seventh at the Kraft Nabisco. She is a Captain’s Pick.
Giulia Sergas (Italy)
The Italian, who is ranked 61st in the Rolex Rankings, has posted four top tens on the LPGA Tour in 2013, and is clearly a woman in form. Her impressive performances were clearly enough for Captain Neumann, who made Sergas one of her picks.
Charley Hull (England)
The sensational 17-year-old will become the youngest player in the history of the Solheim Cup. Turning professional this year, Hull finished second in her first five consecutive appearances on the Ladies European Tour. She is aggressive on the course, and the thrill of playing in such an environment may turn her into one of the stars of the 2013 Matches.
Reflecting a changing of the guard in the European game, six of the side are rookies, with just five team members returning from the victorious effort in 2011. However, having such a youthful team isn’t always a disadvantage, as shown at Killeen Castle, providing they can overcome the initial awe of playing in such an illustrious and huge event away from home. Captain Neumann will have to utilise her experienced players to help gel these raw youngsters into the side, but it’s a challenge that is more than achievable as Europe aim to retain the Solheim Cup, and win for the first time in the United States.
The 13th Solheim Cup will be contested between the 16th and 18th of August at Colorado Golf Club. Always one of the most compelling events on the sporting calendar, the 2013 Solheim promises to be one of the most exciting yet, with many fresh faces involved.