Suzann Pettersen returns to the LPGA for her first event as a new mom teaming with European Solheim Cup captain Catriona Matthew at this week’s inaugural Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational.
Pettersen’s last competitive round was in November of 2017 at the LPGA Tour season-ending CME Group Tour Championship. After taking nearly two years off for the birth of her son, Herman Alexander, Pettersen is making her return with her son in tow.
It’s a different world now, with Herman, prepping for a tournament has changed, he comes first and then yourself.
“He’s the greatest gift. I think it’s the biggest and best trophy I’ve ever had and it only gets better and better the more personality that shows up,” Pettersen shared with LPGA.com. “There are so many stages from the very first moment until now. He’s walking, small milestones every day, it’s a lot of fun.”
Pettersen admits it took her a while to get back into the swing of things, but she is feeling confident and has accomplished everything she wanted to achieve ahead of the event.
“I’ve played a lot of golf, not just practice. I’ve spent a lot of time in Orlando over the last month,” said Pettersen. “I should be fairly good to go, but it’s always going to be different when the start goes off, and you might feel a little different, I’m excited to play.”
She confessed she doesn’t have a lot of time to practice, so she needs to list out her priorities for the day and work on getting through what she needs to accomplish.
“I’ve been surprised at how easy some parts of my game has been coming back, and while there have been some frustration and harder work on other aspects, overall I’m fairly happy,” said Pettersen.
Her putting has been the biggest surprise in her prep work. She admitted it has always been her Achilles heel, but by far it’s been the easiest, although she laughed when she said, “it might change on Wednesday.”
When asked about her schedule and how it has changed, she said, “to be honest; I don’t know what I used to do with all the time I had for myself.”
Every day is different, and some of the best-laid plans don’t always work out, and she knows without the help of her family and friends she would be lost.
“I’ve been fortunate to have my parents to help babysit while I’ve been scooting out and getting the practicing and playing in that I need,” said Pettersen. “I don’t know how people do it without help it’s impossible I’ve been fortunate to have close friends and family to help out.”
Pettersen, a 15-time LPGA winner, is not sure what the future holds but did share she’ll never play a full schedule on the LPGA again. Her priority was to get ready for this event and see how she felt.
“The more I’ve played, and the more time I’ve spent time around the game I definitely miss it,” explained Pettersen. “It’s kind of funny when you are away for so long you’re out of it you kind of look at it from the outside looking back in, and you realize what a bubble it is, and there are other aspects in life that are much more important.”
“As of now, you’ll see me when you see me,” Pettersen said with a chuckle.
With husband, Christian Ringvold on the bag this week, the two will be taking advantage of the LPGA’s traveling Smucker’s Daycare program and giving the grandparents a break.
Pettersen admits she doesn’t know how the other moms do it week in and week out traveling and doing all that you need to do with the kids. It will be helpful to not have to worry when she drops Herman off for the day.
“It’s such a great program, and I’ve heard great things about it, and I can’t wait,” said Pettersen. “I know he will be in good hands.”
Pettersen continues to find a routine as they go through each day.
“Every child is different so just hanging in there and trying to learn bit by bit,” admits Pettersen. “Every day is a new day.”
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