Esther Henseleit is one of just two rookies set to make their Solheim Cup debut later this month, with the German automatically qualifying for Suzann Pettersen’s team as they look to bring the trophy back across the pond with them.
There is a familiar feel about this year’s Solheim Cup, with both Suzanne Pettersen and Stacy Lewis reprising their roles as respective captains after last year’s tie in Spain. Meanwhile, 19 of the 24 players who were involved at Finca Cortesin are set to tee it up again in Virginia.
The US has one extra rookie on its side, but will have the advantage of being on home turf at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club. But this European side knows what it takes to silence the American crowds, having won on two of their last three visits to the States.
- READ MORE: What Suzann Pettersen has told her European team about playing in front of an American crowd
And few have more experience of being involved with the Solheim Cup than Pettersen, with the Norwegian making nine appearances as a player, while she was an assistant captain in 2021 before stepping up to the number one role two years later.
Esther Henseleit issues verdict on Suzann Pettersen ahead of the Solheim Cup
Certainly, rookies would be forgiven for almost being intimidated by Pettersen. She is a fierce competitor, well known for winning the Solheim Cup with the final putt of her professional career back in 2019 at Gleneagles. She had barely played in the two years leading up to the event and was 620th in the world ranking when handed a surprise captain’s pick, but ended up stepping up under the most intense pressure.
She has also been involved in a controversial moment or two; most notably when she won a match alongside Charley Hull in 2015 against Alison Lee and Brittany Lincicome. Lee picked up her ball on the 17th hole before her putt had actually been conceded by the Europeans. Pettersen came in for criticism for standing her ground over the rules as Europe went on to win the match.
Unfortunately for Pettersen, that incident only appeared to fire up the Americans who went on to come back from 10-6 down ahead of the singles and win.
Pettersen would end up apologising for that incident, but it arguably simply highlighted how desperate she is to win, particularly when the Solheim Cup comes around.
And, speaking on The LET Golf Podcast, Esther Henseleit insisted that she has been really impressed by Pettersen
“Yeah, she’s great. I mean, she’s just so passionate about Solheim, it’s such an important thing in her career, and she’s been so successful playing it, and it’s just great to be on that team under her and playing for her. And the other vice-captains as well, they’re all just legends, and it’s going to be fun,” she said.
A rookie with little to fear in Gainesville
Henseleit is yet to win this year, but she has secured some impressive results; most notably, securing the silver medal at the Paris Olympics. She also finished second at the Scottish Open last month.
She is 10th on the Ladies European Tour for average driving distance this season – exactly one yard on average behind European teammate Charley Hull. That distance could obviously be particularly important on what looks set to be a traditional parkland setup in the States.
There will obviously be plenty of nerves throughout the team as Europe looks to continue the dominance that they have had over the last decade. But it will certainly help Henseleit being in a team which has such experience – and being led by a captain who has virtually seen it all in the Solheim Cup.
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