While winning an away Ryder Cup has become one of the hardest challenges in elite men’s golf, Europe have plenty of reason for confidence ahead of the Solheim Cup as Suzann Pettersen prepares to take her side across the pond this month.
Europe have won two of the last three Solheim Cups held in the States, with their biggest ever win coming 11 years ago in Colorado. They have also not been beaten in the last three editions of the event, having managed to retain the trophy in Spain in 2023.
The large majority of the European side are no strangers to the Solheim Cup, with 10 players retaining their place from last year. In fact, 19 of the 24 players across both teams will be involved once again.
- READ MORE: Esther Henseleit issues verdict on European captain Suzann Pettersen ahead of Solheim Cup debut
Esther Henseleit is one of the two rookies in the European team, so there is potentially something of a question mark over how she may fare in the cauldron of pressure. However, it turns out that she does have the advantage of having seen the golf course already.
Esther Henseleit issues verdict on Solheim Cup course
Speaking on The LET Golf Podcast, Henseleit was asked about taking part in a team bonding trip earlier this year, during which, she got the chance to play Robert Trent Jones Golf Club. And she confidently suggested what she is expecting once the Solheim Cup starts.
“It was fun, it was my first time really being around everyone who was maybe going to be on the team, and my first real Solheim Cup experience. It was fun, we did a bit of team bonding in Washington DC and we played the course, and it’s really good,” she said.
“It’s very American, a big parkland golf course, which normally suits my game, it’s definitely not going to be a birdie festival. It’s just going to require some good ball striking and it’s definitely a strength in my game, so I’m really looking forward to it.”
The luxury Suzann Pettersen has as she makes plans for Gainesville
What is fantastic about this European team is that there are so many pairing options for Pettersen, with eight different combinations heading out on the opening day in Spain last year.
The likes of Anna Nordqvist and Carlota Ciganda have proved that they have the versatility in this event to be paired with almost anyone. Meanwhile, the likes of Leona Maguire and Emily Kristine Pedersen must be nightmares to come up against as the heat of the battle brings the best out of them.
Interestingly, Henseleit’s form on the Ladies European Tour suggests that she could be a bit of a wildcard for the visitors, with only one player on the tour averaging more birdies per round this season than the 25-year-old.
Obviously, the Gainesville course will ask different questions to what those predominantly on the European Tour are used to, but having someone who can make plenty of birdies is clearly such an asset as they look to hit the ground running in their Solheim Cup career.
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