Suzann Pettersen has described sinking the winning putt for Team Europe in the recently-concluded Solheim Cup as the ‘perfect closure’ to her professional career.
Playing as a captain’s pick in the 16th edition of the biennial contest at Gleneagles, the combative Norwegian star won two matches out of three and holed the winning putt in the final day singles. Pettersen edged Marina Alex 1-up in the decider, holing a seven-foot birdie putt at the 18th hole to give Europe a narrow 14.5-13.5 victory over the USA.
Matthew and Pettersen (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)
“That’s it, I’m done. I’m closing it down tomorrow,” noted the 38-year-old, who counts 23 career titles including two Majors.
“I think this is a perfect closure and also a nice ‘the end’ for my professional career. It doesn’t get any better,” she added.
Pettersen took a break from the tour in 2017 for the birth of her first son, Henma, last September, and only played two tournaments this year – missing the cut in both. She paid tribute to Matthew for having the courage to select her.
“To do it with these girls, I never thought I was going to be here four months ago until I met Beany (Matthew) this summer. And to have the confidence from Beany to give me the go, yeah, this is it … I’m completely done.” said Pettersen.
This was Pettersen’s ninth appearance in the Solheim Cup since 2002, during which she won 18 matches to rank tied third on the all-time European list for most wins alongside Matthew, behind Laura Davies and Annika Sorenstam.
Matthew praised Pettersen for her role in the Solheim Cup and European women’s golf. “She’s been one of the trailblazers in European women’s golf. I think we’ve played on maybe seven, eight Solheim Cups together. So, she’s just been a huge part of women’s golf and the Solheim Cup.
“It’s such a special moment for her. If this happens to be her last moment in professional golf, well, she may as well go out at the top,” said Matthew.
