Golf:European captain Alison Nicholas has finalised her backroom team for next year's Solheim Cup at Killeen Castle, bringing in Annika Sorenstam and Joanne Morley to assist her bid to regain the title from the United States.
Sorenstam, the former world number one, has amassed the most points in the Solhem Cup history and played in eight straight events before ending her competitive career in 2008 to concentrate on starting a family.
The 10-time major champion, tipped to become a future captain herself, conceded she hadn’t expected the call but was delighted to get involved.
“I was a little quiet on the phone when Alison asked me because I was totally surprised,” Sorenstam said this morning. “She asked me and I said, ‘Could you give me 24 hours?’
“I knew my answer would be yes but I wanted to make sure I could live up to her
expectations with my schedule and fulfil my role properly.
“I’m looking forward to being with the players again, not inside the ropes, but closer. I can help from past experience.”
Morley was a vice-captain to Nicholas when Europe were shot down on the final day’s singles last year and that experience has strengthened her resolve to exact revenge.
“I am humbled at Alison’s confidence in me to help bring home the cup and grateful for this opportunity,” she said.