Madelene Sagström, Gemma Dryburgh, Emily Kristine Pedersen and Caroline Hedwall picked by Pettersen
OSTERLEY, Aug. 22, 2023 - European Captain Suzann Pettersen today announced her four captain’s picks live on Sky Sports completing the line up for the European Team at the 2023 Solheim Cup.
On Sunday, the conclusion of the ISPS HANDA World Invitational Presented by AVIV Clinics saw the qualification window for Team Europe close with Pettersen having to decide which four players would join the eight automatic qualifiers.
There will be a third rookie on the European Team with Scotland’s Gemma Dryburgh being chosen to play in her first Solheim Cup alongside the two other rookies in the team – Maja Stark and Linn Grant.
Dryburgh is joined by Swedish stars Madelene Sagström and Caroline Hedwall, as well as Denmark’s Emily Kristine Pedersen as the four captain’s picks who will head to Finca Cortesin from September 22-24.
This will be Sagström’s third appearance in the Solheim Cup having made her debut in 2017 and being part of the winning team last time out in Toledo, but it will be a new experience as it will be her first on European soil.
“I’m super proud and honoured to get a pick from Suzann,” said the Swede. “Playing in my third Solheim Cup and the first on European soil is a huge accomplishment for me and something I’ve always dreamt about. I can’t wait to represent Europe in Spain and create some amazing memories with the team. Vamos!”
Dryburgh secured her maiden LPGA Tour title last November winning the Toto Japan Classic and just a few weeks ago recorded her best-ever finish in a Major with eighth place at The Amundi Evian Championship.
“I’m over the moon to be picked for my first Solheim Cup,” said the Scot. “It has been a dream of mine to play on the European team since I can remember and for it to become a reality is an amazing feeling. It really makes all of the hard work over the years worthwhile and now I just can’t wait to tee it up with the rest of my teammates.”
Denmark’s Pedersen will also be teeing it up in her third Solheim Cup, after she made her debut in 2017 and rolled in the putt that sealed victory on American soil in 2021.
“I’m super proud to get picked,” said the 2020 Race to Costa del Sol champion. “I’m stoked because Suzann is someone that I’ve always looked up to.
“I haven’t yet played a Solheim Cup in Europe and I really wanted to play this. Spain has a really special place in my heart, I love Spain and I’m super happy to be able to represent Europe once again.”
While Hedwall will be making her fifth appearance in the biennial contest and her first since 2019 after being picked by Pettersen.
The Swedish star secured her seventh LET title at last season’s finale – the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España – and can’t wait to be playing on Spanish soil again.
“I’m just really excited to play another Solheim Cup,” commented Hedwall. “It’s my absolute favourite event to play, so I can’t wait for the week to start!
“Having great memories from the end of last year in Andalucía, I hadn’t thought much about Solheim until I won and after that, it was a goal for the season. I’m just really happy it became a reality and super pumped to play in Spain again.”
Speaking about her four picks, Pettersen said: “I’m very pleased with my team! Madelene was an obvious choice; she was right there in the pack with the rest of the eight qualifiers, has experience and is a great team player. It’s been great following Gemma and her performances over the past year, she has a very consistent game, is a great putter and has a great personality.
“Emily is a fierce competitor especially in match play, she has the experience and I know what I’m going to get from her. I can’t think of a more competitive player than Caroline. I’m very happy to have her on our team. She compliments the team perfectly with her game and records in the Solheim Cup.”
The four picks will be joined by France’s Celine Boutier and Sweden’s Maja Stark, who qualified through LET Solheim Cup points.
Plus, English duo Charley Hull and Georgia Hall, Ireland’s Leona Maguire, Swedish pair Linn Grant and Anna Nordqvist and Spain’s Carlota Ciganda who secured their spots through the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings.
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