BY Keely Levins
On Wednesday Suzann Pettersen, whose controversial non-concession during the 2015 Solheim Cup overshadowed the event, withdrew from this year’s competition, citing a slipped disc.

Pettersen, who has played in eight Solheim Cups, qualified for the European Solheim Cup squad through her Rolex World Ranking (No. 23).

“I have made this extremely difficult decision to help the European team and give my team mates the best possible chance of success,” said Pettersen. “There was no guarantee that I would be fit to compete on Friday morning and I did not want to play unless I was able to give 100 per cent. I truly love The Solheim Cup and I will stay and support my team this week in whatever way I can.”

When the Solheim Cup team is named, both the European and American captains put down the name of an alternate. Catriona Matthew, who came to Iowa as a vice captain for Team Europe, was the alternate chosen by captain Annika Sorenstam. Matthew is now shifting positions and will be a playing member of the team. The matches begin at Des Moines Golf Club on Friday.

Matthew, who at 47-years-old is the oldest competitor in the field, has also played in the Solheim Cup eight times. Her career record in the Solheim Cup is 12-9-8.

Photo by Thomas Niedermueller/Getty Images

“It’s unfortunate that Suzann has to withdraw due to her back injury,” said Sorenstam. “The Solheim Cup has been such an important part of her career. It was a very tough decision, but I am proud of her and she will still be a leader this week. Catriona is a proven Solheim Cup performer who will be able to step right in and play with anybody. She’s ready to go.”

Pettersen isn’t the only member of the European team who isn’t at full health: Golf Channel reported that Anna Nordqvist has been battling mono. On the American side, Lexi Thompson missed her press conference on Tuesday, releasing a statement saying she’s been ill with a virus and needs as much time as possible to rest for the upcoming matches.

Like the European team, the American team has already called their alternate into action. Jessica Korda withdrew from the team the day after she was named to it, needing time to heal a nagging forearm injury. Paula Creamer is her replacement.

As per the captain’s agreement, both Juli Inkster and Annika Sorenstam put a new alternate’s name down after their first alternates are put on the team. The identities of these new alternates will only become known if another player withdraws from the event.

The post Suzann Pettersen withdraws from Solheim Cup appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

At a press conference following the Ricoh Women’s British Open at Kingsbarns, non-playing U.S. skipper Juli Inkster added two captain’s picks—18-year-old LPGA rookie Angel Yin and 25-year-old Austin Ernst—to her 10 automatic qualifiers (see below). Europe’s Annika Sorenstam also named her four wild-cards—Anna Nordqvist, Emily Pedersen, Caroline Masson and Madelene Sagstrom—to complete her side.

Both captains made it clear how difficult it had been to arrive at their respective conclusions. Inkster omitted the likes of former U.S. Women’s Open champion Paula Creamer, as well as six-time Cup veteran Angela Stanford and five-time player Morgan Pressel.

“This has been a really tough day,” said Inkster, herself a nine-time Solheim participant. “I don’t know if there’s ever been so many people in the running for two captain’s picks. I could have gone a lot of different ways. But in the end I went with my gut, and who I thought deserved a chance to play. I hope it turns out OK. That’s all I can say.”

Noticeably absent from the European squad will be Catriona Matthew, who was looking to make her ninth appearance in European colors. The Scot will still make the trip to Iowa, however, as one of Sorenstam’s assistant captains.

“It is always hard to say ‘no’ to someone who lives for the Solheim Cup,” said Sorenstam of Matthew. “She was involved in the plans and knew the players we were talking about and that made it a bit awkward at times. But she has been strong and mature, and I am happy to have her on the team either way.”

UNITED STATES TEAM
Points List
Lexi Thompson, 3rd appearance (2013, ’15), 3-2-2 record
Stacy Lewis, 4th appearance (2011, ’13, ’15), 4-7-1
Gerina Piller, 3rd appearance (2013, ’15), 3-2-2
Cristie Kerr, 9th appearance (2002, ’03, ’05, ’07, ’09, ’11, ’13, ’15), 15-14-5
Jessica Korda, 2nd appearance (2013), 1-2-1
Danielle Kang, 1st appearance
Michelle Wie, 5th appearance (2009, ’11, ’13, ’15), 7-7-1
Brittany Lang, 5th appearance (2009, ’11, ’13, ’15), 5-6-3
Rolex Ranking
Brittany Lincicome, 6th appearance (2007, ’09, ’11, ’13, ’15), 5-11-2 Lizette Salas, 3rd appearance (2013, ’15), 1-3-2
Captain’s Picks
Austin Ernst, 1st appearance Angel Yin, 1st appearance

EUROPEAN TEAM
Points List
Georgia Hall (England), 1st appearance
Florentyna Parker (England), 1st appearance
Mel Reid (England), 3rd appearance (2011, ’15), 4-3-1
Jodi Ewart-Shadoff (England), 2nd appearance (2013), 2-1-0
Rolex Ranking
Carlota Ciganda (Spain), 3rd appearance (2013, ’15), 4-1-2
Suzann Pettersen (Norway), 9th appearance (2002, ’03, ’05, ’07, ’09, ’11, ’13, ’15), 16-11-6
Charley Hull (England), 3rd appearance (2013, ’15), 6-2-0
Karine Icher (France), 4th appearance (2002, ’13, ’15), 5-4-1
Captain’s Picks
Caroline Masson (Germany), 3rd appearance (2013, ’15), 2-3-2
Anna Nordqvist (Sweden), 5th appearance (2009, ’11, ’13, ’15), 8-7-1
Emily Pedersen (Denmark), 1st appearance
Madelene Sagstrom (Sweden), 1st appearance

The post With 2017 Solheim Cup teams finalised, captains Inkster and Sorenstam oversee changing of the guard appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.