Team Europe Solheim Cup captain Suzann Pettersen has revealed her four captain’s picks to complete her 12-player team for the biennial match against the USA at Finca Cortesin in Spain.
Eight players had already qualified via the LET points list and Rolex World Ranking. Joining them will be Madelene Sagstrom, Gemma Dryburgh, Caroline Hedwall and Emily Kristine Pedersen.
Swede Sagstrom’s selection is not unexpected as she holds the highest position of any eligible player in the world rankings who hadn’t already qualified, at 42nd.
She has had a mixed bag of results in 2023, but there have been some significant high points, notably finishing T10 in the Cognizant Founder Cup, third in the Scandinavian Mixed and T9 in the Freed Women’s Scottish Open.
Sagstrom also has significant experience in the Solheim Cup having competed in the match in both 2017 and 2021 with a 2-4-0 overall record.
Six places beneath Sagstrom in the world rankings is Scot Dryburgh, who will make her Solheim Cup debut.
The 30-year-old has five professional wins, including the 2022 Toto Japan Classic on the LPGA Tour, while she impressed in the fourth Major of 2023, the Amundi Evian Championship, finishing eighth, suggesting she has the appetite for the big occasion.
Swede Hedwall brings vast experience to the team. The 34-year-old has amassed 16 professional wins, including seven on the LET, most recently in the Spanish Women’s Open in 2022, which Pettersen will hope stands her in good stead in the same country for this year’s match.
Hedwall also replaced compatriot Grant on the Swedish team for May’s match play Hanwha Lifeplus International Crown due to Grant’s vaccination status at that time. She has four previous appearances in the Solheim Cup, with an overall record of 8-6-1.
Dane Pedersen has not had the best of years with her only top-10 finish coming in the Aramco Saudi Ladies International.
However, she expressed her desire to make the team during the AIG Women’s Open, saying: “It’s no secret that I want to be there.” Pedersen eventually finished T30 and that, coupled with her Solheim Cup record of 3-4-0 from her two appearances, is enough to get the nod…
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