Carin Koch names her four wildcard picks for the Solheim Cup
Wednesday 16 September 2015 11:26, UK
Carin Koch has selected Karine Icher, Caroline Hedwall, Caroline Masson and Catriona Matthew as her four wildcard picks for next month’s Solheim Cup in Germany.
All four players featured in the European side two years' ago, when the visitors thrashed the USA 18-10 in Colorado to secure their first win on foreign soil.
Announced exclusively live on Sportswomen, Koch confirmed that Matthew will make her eighth Solheim Cup appearance as Europe look to secure a third consecutive victory.
"We've got a great mixture of youth and experience which really excites me as captain," said Koch. "Each of our players has a role to play and I have a team of stars. Now the team is finalised we can all have full focus for the week in Germany and I can't wait to see the players together at Golf Club St Leon-Rot."
Matthew, who gained the winning point at Barseback in Sweden in 2003 and secured the half that won the Cup outright in Colorado, is the most experienced player in the team, along with Suzann Pettersen.
The 46-year-old Scot said: "Obviously I was delighted and very excited when Carin gave me the phone call and I can't wait to play in the Solheim Cup. It has always been my favourite event and to play as part of a team is so good.
"Since winning in Colorado my main aim has been to get in the team. As you get older, it gets harder to qualify but this will be my eighth one so it will be great to play at home and defend it hopefully."
Frenchwoman Icher features for the third time and will play in her first Solheim Cup in Europe, while Masson is included to play on home soil at St Leon Rot Golf Club from September 18-20.
Icher, who played on the 2002 and 2013 teams in the United States, said: "It was really nice to be selected as I'm sure there were quite a few players on the list. I know that some people will be disappointed so I'm very proud to be on the team representing Europe and we'll do our best to win the Cup."
Masson, who earned two-and-a-half points as a Solheim Cup rookie in 2013, added: "It's been a huge goal to make the team for the last two years and I have been waiting for that call, to see what decision Carin would make. When she told me I was a pick I was super happy and I can't wait to tee up in Germany in front of my friends and family. It's going to be a huge event and I feel so happy and fortunate to be a part of it."
Hedwall completes the line-up, with the Swede make a third appearance in a row having rewrote the history books in 2013 when she became the first player to win all five of her matches.
The 26-year-old said: "I'm just really excited about it. After my last two tournaments I wasn't expecting anything and when Carin called I was really happy because I love the Solheim Cup and I'm really pumped to get to Germany and play. I love that team and I'm really excited to get back to Europe.
"When I played in the Ladies European Tour event in Germany the crowds were really good and comparable with those in Sweden. I'm hoping for big crowds and that a lot of people will come out and cheer for us. A lot of my friends will drive from Sweden because it's not that far, so I'm hoping people will come from all over Europe to support the team."
European Team
Suzann Pettesen (Nor)
Gwladys Nocera (Fra)
Charley Hull (Eng)
Melissa Reid (Eng)
Anna Norqvist (Swe)
Azahara Munoz (Esp)
Sandra Gal (Ger)
Carlota Ciganda (Esp)
Karine Icher (Fra)
Caroline Hedwall (Swe)
Caroline Masson (Ger)
Catriona Matthew (Sco)
The Solheim Cup will be shown live on Sky Sports from September 18.
