Monday, Catriona Matthew made her Solheim Cup team official. Matthew, who will captain the European Team at Gleneagles in September, will lead Carlota Ciganda, Anne van Dam, Caroline Hedwall, Charley Hull, Georgia Hall, Azahara Munoz, Caroline Masson and Anna Nordqvist. Matthew also announced her four captain’s picks – Bronte Law, Jodi Ewart Shadoff and Celine Boutier. Matthew also selected veteran Suzann Pettersen, who had previously been named an assistant captain, but will step down from that role in order to compete in her ninth Solheim Cup.
“I’m very happy to be playing alongside these great girls, great talents,” Pettersen said after her selection was announced. “Just rather be playing than a vice-captain, to be honest. It’s less nerve-racking.”
Mel Reid will replace Pettersen as an assistant captain for Team Europe.
Three rookies – van Dam, Boutier and Law – will make their debut for Team Europe, which is a goal they’ve dreamed of achieving for years. For Boutier, the desire to make the team was so intense that she didn’t look at the standings throughout the entire season to avoid putting additional pressure on herself.
“I feel so relieved and excited at the same time to be on the team,” Boutier said after the announcement. “I didn’t know whether I was going to be a pick or whatever, but I’m super excited and can’t wait for September.”
Boutier isn't the only member of Team Europe that was excited. Players took to social media to share their excitement ahead of this year’s matches as they look to regain the cup for the first time since 2013.
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