Suzann Pettersen has had a brilliant career as a professional golfer. Winner of Major championships, Suzann has played seven Solheim Cups during her career, adding 19 points for Europe in the 33 matches she played. She won the biggest recognition when she holed the decisive putt that made Europe the winner at Gleneagles. Her election as a player of the European team had been a little controversial because she had postponed her career that year having just become a mother. Now that she has also been chosen as the captain for the Solheim 2024, the Norwegian faces her new position with enthusiasm and confidence.

The Solheim Cup is pretty close. Are you excited?

Well, I can definitely feel that it is closing in, I have started to dream about it, I’ve had nightmares about it. I can start to feel the energy, being out, seeing the players, talking to them. The energy is already there, from the European players. It is exciting! It is kind of crunch time on that matter, but I am really enjoying it, it is a lot of fun being part of the biggest women’s event in golf. It is a huge honour and I think it will be a great week.

You have been selected also as the Captain for the Solheim 2024. So, it’s a long way ahead. Are you happy?

It’s a long way but it’s kind of gives us a bit of longevity as well and I am like more thinking about the players, you know, young talents. This year might be too soon for some but may be next year they are ready. It is nice that you kind of have that in the back pocket as well, when you keep talking to players, you know, encouraging them to keep on playing well and keep doing what they are doing. Everyone wants to be part of it, and you want that. I think we have a great team lined up and I’m sure it is going to be twelve fantastic players in total. It’s going to be a different vibe in Spain, you know the weather, the Spanish style. I’m all for it, I have spent a lot of time in Spain, so for me it is exciting as well. An I think there is going to be a great energy.

Do you think we, Europa, can win?

Well, I always give the Americans to be the favourites, but I have to say that I am very, very confident in our players. I mean they are all playing well, they’ve all been winning. I think it is probably the best team we’ve had on paper. I know that’s hard… and they are going to kill me for saying that, but it is a fact. Facts we can kind of relate to, right? So, I’m not making it up. I think it’s going to be super fun. My goal is to have the players that are there, I want them to be part of more, having been part of one, they want to be part of two, they want to be part of a third and fourth one. So, I just want them to have a memorable week overall.

There is a different progress between the European and the American, but we make a very solid team…

I think that we care more about each other more as well. We have more emotions, more feelings and we are all really good friends. So, it is always going to be kind of tough to have to give someone a “sorry you didn’t make it”. I don’t know that if on the American side they even care. But I want the team to be on a good note and everyone to get along, to make it as natural as possible

What  do  you  think  about  Finca Cortesin? Is this course better for the Americans of the Europeans?

I think, to be quite fair, the course, by the time the Friday morning comes, everyone is prepared for it. I mean, these golfers, they are professionals, right? So, they do their preparation and I think everyone is going to be ready to play, they know their strategy. But I think that Finca Cortesin, as a whole, as a venue, is fantastic. Logistically for us as teams, to be able to stay on site, I mean, you have the driving range, all the facilities right around you, it saves us a lot of time during the day. Finca has become my absolute favourite all over the world. It is a beautiful place, the atmosphere… So, it is definitely one of my favourite places to go and definitely my favourite place to stay if I have to choose.

Do you think the wind will be ok for the game?

I don’t know, I think the wind is going to create some fun. I think the wind is kind of the courses only protection. I hope we are going to play a little windy. Obviously, not ridiculously, but that course plays well with the wind. So, we´ll see how it turns out. It is supposed to be at least a little windy, that’s normal at that time of the year, but you never know.

What is your biggest fear?

I don’t know. I have had nightmares about small stuff, you know, not like important stuff. Not being organized and everything, but I think it is kind of my anxiety, my energy of wanting to be perfect. We will be prepared. For sure. You never know how the week evolves and there might be things that pop up that you are not prepared for. So, my goal is just to be very calm for the entire week no matter what comes across. And hopefully that can translate also to the players.