By: Max Bechtoldt
Often the Solheim Cup, much like the Ryder Cup, is a battle of flash against grit. The Americans usually hold the advantage both on paper and in the world rankings, while the Europeans generally rely on chemistry and pure will to win.
While the 2023 Solheim Cup gave Suzann Pettersen a chance to switch the narrative with the deepest talent pool Europe has ever seen, her picks reflected that grit that has taken the Europeans to two consecutive upset victories.
The players selected by Pettersen for the Solheim Cup are:
- Madelene Sagström (Sweden)
- Gemma Dryburgh (Scotland)
- Caroline Hedwall (Sweden)
- Emily Kristine Pedersen (Denmark)
No surprises with Sagström or Dryburgh, they were the two highest ranked players not to automatically qualify. While Sagström’s form hasn’t been the strongest this season, she still felt like the most obvious pick to make. She has experience, she has fire and when at her best is among the top players in the world. Dryburgh is possibly the most consistent member of the Europe team, after gaining her first career win last season she has made nearly every cut, and her recent strong performance at Evian likely clinched her spot.
While on paper Hedwall could be a head scratcher (she has made one cut in a major since 2019) she has been a mainstay for Team Europe, making her fifth appearance in 2023. She has a rock solid 8-6-1 record in her career mostly because of her 5-0-0 performance in 2013. Though she might not be a well-known name to American audiences, as she plays on the Ladies European Tour full time, she will bring a lot of toughness and experience to this European team.
Emily Kristine Pedersen was the true surprise of the morning. She’s currently ranked No. 114 in the Rolex Rankings and hasn’t had a top 15 finish on the LPGA Tour this year. She does bring fiery competitiveness and went 3-1 in the 2021 Solheim Cup, which may explain why she is here.
While I think there are major positives to making some of the out of the box choices that Pettersen did, picks that reflect her own personality, I can’t help but think of some of the talent left on the table. Few players in the world, let alone Europeans, are playing as well as Olivia Cowan currently, with four top tens in her last five starts. Or Celine Borge, who is one of the best rookies on tour, and figures to be a strong player for Team Europe moving forward.
Europe had the chance to put together the most talented team it has ever had in the Solheim Cup. But if the recent results in this event tell us anything, maybe it’s a great strategy from the captain.
