Catriona Matthew named as Europe 2017 Solheim Cup vice-captain
Thursday 21 July 2016 14:31, UK
Catriona Matthew has been named as one of Annika Sorenstam's vice-captains for Europe's team for the 2017 Solheim Cup in Iowa.
Matthew has represented Europe in eight Solheim Cups, most recently in their narrow 14.5-13.5 defeat in Germany last Autumn, earning 19 points from her 33 tournament matches.
The 46-year-old is the first European vice-captain to be named for the 2017 team and said: "I'm really delighted to be vice-captain to Annika. It's a great honour as she's probably the best woman golfer there's ever been and I'm really looking forward to it."
Sorenstam and Matthew competed in four European teams together, winning a combined total of two foursomes and one four-ball match as a partnership.
Matthew, who will also represent Team GB at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games alongside Charley Hull, could still make a ninth Solheim appearance as a playing vice-captain when the biannual tournament is staged in the United States from August 18-20 next year.
The former Women's British Open champion, who holed the winning putt in Europe's 2003 victory, added: "It's a long way off, still but it's a possibility. I'll see how I'm playing next year and go from there.
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"I love The Solheim Cup and it's my favourite week each time it comes round every two years. 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."
Europe have won the Solheim Cup five times, most recently by a record-breaking 18-10 margin in 2013.
"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.
"She will be a tremendous asset, thanks not only to her experience playing the biggest events, but also because she is currently active on both the LPGA and the LET."
