Annika Sorenstam says Solheim Cup captaincy is a dream come true
Thursday 7 April 2016 12:59, UK
Annika Sorenstam feels the time is now right for her to lead Team Europe at the Solheim Cup.
The Ladies European Tour (LET) announced last week that Sorenstam will step up from her role as vice-captain to captain Europe at next year's tournament at the De Moines Golf Club in Iowa.
"I'm extremely excited but I'm honoured as well," Sorenstam told Sky Sports News HQ.
"It's a kind of a dream come true. I hoped this would happen and it did."
Sorenstam racked up 72 LPGA Tour wins and 10 major championship victories as a player and was part of two Solheim Cup winning sides, in 2000 and 2003.
"I've played in eight of them (Solheim Cup tournaments) and I still wanted to be involved in the game but I wasn't ready to put in the time and the commitment that it takes," she said.
"It's a lot of work and I just wasn't ready with a young family and my businesses but fast forward six years and here I am. My kids are a little bigger and I am ready and I want to do this now."
Sorenstam's record of winning 22 Solheim Cup matches has been equalled only by Britain's Laura Davies, and she thinks the Swede is the ideal candidate to lead Europe into the next tournament.
Davies said: "I think it's great news for us, especially playing in America, because she's lived a lot of her life over there and she obviously brings massive experience.
"She'll get the team together. She's got a year and a half to worry about it and think about it and she'll do a very professional job.
"I think it will all be very regimented - that is Annika's way. That is how she played her career as a player and I don't see any reason why that would be any different as a captain."
