Congratulations Anna Nordqvist on being appointed 2026 European Solheim Cup Captain for the event at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands. As a nine-time Solheim Cup player and two stints as assistant captain, she’s certainly qualified to do the job.

When I interviewed her last year ahead of the 2024 Solheim Cup match, we discussed her dual role of playing-assistant captain and she told me how ‘it’s a cool way to learn’ and how she was dreaming of being a captain herself one day. I’m so pleased her dream has come true and I’m sure she’s a popular choice amongst her peers.

Anna also admitted that while nothing compares to winning a Major title, as it’s the biggest accomplishment for any professional golfer, many of her career highlights and special memories come from the Solheim Cup because she’s sharing them with others.

One of those highlights happened in 2013 at Colorado Golf Club when she scored a hole-in-one on the 17th hole in her foursomes match with fellow Swede Caroline Hedwall. As luck would have it, I was standing on the tee when she made her ace, so it was fantastic to witness the celebrations, and even better that the pair clawed their way back from four down to beat Jessica Korda and Morgan Pressel 2&1.

We’ve got to wait almost 18 months until the next Solheim Cup, but just think of all the quality practice players will be doing between now and then to climb the rankings and make the team. The reason I mention quality practice is because I’m cross with myself that I didn’t use my time effectively last weekend.

After heavy overnight rain on Friday, I knew the course would be saturated and that we’d only play 9 holes to avoid sinking on the back, yet I still chose to tee up instead of going to the on-site range.

I slopped around in the mud, watched my ball continually plug into the soggy ground, and you probably won’t be surprised to hear that I hit a lot of fat shots. Other than the company and exercise, it wasn’t fun and an experience that was of no benefit to my golf game.

If this wet weather persists, I’m not going to do that again. Yes, we all love to get out on the course, but for the amount of shots you hit over 9 holes, we’d be much better off grooving our swing with a couple of buckets of balls.

Jess Ratcliffe has got the right idea towards practice, that’s probably why she’s a single figure golfer aiming to get to scratch and I’m not! Now she’s sorted out one of her niggling swing faults over the winter months, she’s now focusing on getting competition ready and her tips in this article might help you.

Alison Root

Women's Editor

Golf Monthly 

 

Before we know it, there will be no more gimme putts, qualifying competitions will be back on, so let’s make sure that we’re ready too!