(Reuters) – Suzann Pettersen will return as captain of the European team at the Solheim Cup in 2024, the Ladies European Tour (LET) announced on Tuesday, with the Norwegian saying the move will offer players “more consistency”.
Pettersen is already serving as captain for the 2023 European team that will face the United States at the Sept. 22-24 Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin in Andalucia, Spain.
“I love the Solheim Cup and it’s such a unique honour to be asked to captain Team Europe again in 2024,” Pettersen said.
“… This will allow us to build a strategy and a philosophy for the team that we can keep which will offer more consistency for the players and enable them to focus on their performance.
“My focus is on getting the team around the players and the atmosphere right and then taking that up to the next level.”
The former world number two is a double major champion and has represented Europe nine times as a player in the competition and twice as a vice-captain. She was part of five triumphs, once as a non-playing assistant captain.
“She is doing a superb job in her preparations for the 2023 Solheim Cup in Spain and her experience, passion and pride will make her a great leader in 2024,” LET chief executive Alexandra Armas said.
“The players know and respect Suzann and this continuity in leadership will ensure that they have the best preparation as we drive towards another incredibly successful event in 2024.”
Europe are champions after edging the United States 15-13 at Inverness Club in Ohio in 2021 to retain the Solheim Cup. The Americans lead the overall series 10-7.
Pettersen’s counterpart, former world number one Stacy Lewis, will similarly captain the U.S. team in back-to-back Solheim Cups.
Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Virginia, will host the 2024 Solheim Cup.
(Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
