Norway’s Suzann Pettersen gives her son Herman a kiss after holing the winning putt in the Solheim Cup, before announcing her retirement at the age of 38. Picture by MARK RUNNACLES
SOLHEIM Cup winner Suzann Pettersen announced she is to retire for competitive golf after a sparkling professional career spanning two decades.
Moments after holing the birdie putt that secured Europe’s victory in the 16th Solheim Cup, the 38-year-old Norwegian, confirmed she would be hanging up her clubs with immediate effect.
“That’s it, I’m done,” she said. “I’m closing it down tomorrow.
“I think it’s the perfect closure, there’s no better way to end my professional career. I never thought I was going to be here four months ago until I met Beany (Catriona Matthew).
“So, to end it this way, that’s very special,” said the two-time Major winer.
Pettersen bows out of professional golf having won 15 LPGA tour titles and seven on the Ladies European Tour.
This year marked her ninth appearance in the Solheim Cup, stretching back to 2002, during which she won 18 matches, tied third on the all-time European list alongside Matthew – behind only Laura Davies and Annika Sorenstam.
Her most successful year came in 2013 when she won five tournaments around the world and posted an additional 11 top-10 finishes. She ended the year as World No. 2, just behind Inbee Park.
Suzann arrived at Gleneagles as one of Matthew’s captain’s picks having played just twice this season following the birth of her son, Herman, last September.
But that didn’t stop her combining with Anne Van Dam to beat Danielle Kang 4&2 before delivering the winning point against Marina Alex in the singles.
“It didn’t surprise me when Suzann holed that putt,” said US captain Juli Inkster. “It was great. I mean, I knew she knew the cup was on the line.
“And to go ahead and roll that putt in, that’s impressive. That’s why she’s Suzann,” added Inkster, who lost as captain for the first time in three Solheim Cups, having competed in nine as a player.
Pettersen also received a glowing tribute from teammate Anna Nordqvist.
“I think I’m speaking for everyone on this team,” Nordqvist said. “Suzann has been a big role model for all of those the last couple of years, more than that.
“I remember my first Solheim Cup in 2009, I got to play with a lot of my idols growing up.
“It was Laura Davies, Helen Alfredsson, it was Beany, it was Mimmi Hjorth and Suzann Pettersen.
“I got paired with Suzann in my second match and it was really cool. It was definitely one of the best highlights of my career.
“She’s going to be missed,” Nordqvist added. “She’s a rock star. She’s such a great character and a big role model for all of us.”
