Catriona Matthew named 2017 European Solheim Cup vice-captain
LPGA Tour

Catriona Matthew named 2017 European Solheim Cup vice-captain

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Catriona Matthew will be a vice-captain for the 2017 European Solheim Cup team captained by Annika Sörenstam.

"I’m really delighted to be vice-captain to Annika," said Matthew, who is the first woman named to the role for the '17 matches at Des Moines Golf and Country Club in Iowa. "It’s a great honor as she’s probably the best woman golfer there’s ever been and I’m really looking forward to it."

Matthew made the announcement ahead of the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open at Dundonald Links.

The 46-year-old Scot has represented for Europe in eight of 14 previous Solheim Cups, earning 19 points from 33 matches. Matthew and Sorenstam played on four Solheim teams together (1998, 2003, '05 and '07) and won three points together as a team.

"Catriona is a long-time friend and well-respected veteran of the game," Sorenstam said. "As a major winner who has competed in numerous Solheim Cups, I'm very excited to welcome her to our team."

Matthew, who holed the winning putt in the 2003 Solheim Cup in Sweden, hasn't ruled out being a playing vice-captain for the matches next August, and she'll be on the Great Britain Olympic golf team along with fellow Solheim Cup team member Charley Hull.

"I love The Solheim Cup, and it’s my favorite week each time it comes round every two years," Matthew said. "It’s just so different for a golfer to be in a team environment where you’ve got your teammates and the captains and vice-captains. Golf is such an individual sport that it just makes it great fun. I’ve got great memories from it."

The United States leads the all-time series 9-5, including a dramatic 14.5-13.5 win last year in Germany, in which the Americans overcame a four-point final-session deficit to win. The win was payback for the Europeans winning the 2013 matches at Colorado Golf Club, a record 18-10 win and the first time the Europeans won on American soil.

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Ryan Ballengee

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