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 16^th 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.”

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Suzann Pettersen has lost her voice in the build up to the Solheim Cup but spoke very highly of European captain Catriona Matthew. Picture by PHIL INGLIS

SUZANN Pettersen has never been afraid to speak her mind but this week she may have to let her clubs do the talking after losing her voice in the lead up to match.

“My golf game is in great shape,” Pettersen croaked while attending a press conference ahead of Thursday’s opening ceremony. “But my voice is gone. This is as good as it gets.”

Under the circumstances, the veteran Norwegian went on to do a good job explaining how the atmosphere in the European camp differed from her eight previous appearances in the Solheim Cup.

“I guess every team has different players,” Suzann said. “I just think these new youngsters on the European team have a lot of character. Their personalities are different but go (gel) together so that’s very good.

There was also agreement among the European players that new captain Catriona Matthew had a lot to do with the high spirits within the camp.

“With Beany (Matthew) what you see is what you get,” said Pettersen. “She’s as natural as you could be. She’s as relaxed as she looks and she’s confident about what’s she’s doing.

“If I’d been in her shoes, I don’t know if I would have done anything different from her so far. Over the last two years, as I’ve got to know her a little better, I’ve realised she’s as calm as it gets.”

Jodi Ewart-Shadoff is finally playing pain-free having been given a captain’s pick.
Picture by MATTHEW LEWIS

That view was shared by Swede Anna Nordqvist, Germany’s Caroline Masson and England’s Jodi Ewart-Shadoff.

“I think Catriona is a big part of it,” said Nordqvist who is making her sixth Solheim Cup appearance at Gleneagles.

“She’s very relaxed, very experienced, and she’s so easy going. I think that kind of transfers to the team.

“She’s made things very easy for us this week, and I feel she’s putting a lot of thought into our schedules and the way she’s set everything up.

“Of all the teams I’ve been on, I feel like this is the closest everyone’s been and the best team spirit we’ve ever had.”

“I also think that everybody feels we have the best 12 players in Europe on this team, which is great.

Nordqvist added: I think it’s crucial that everybody in the team feels they’re in the right spot here. Nobody feels they have to hide, and I think that’s huge.

“I also think Catriona has done a great job being very open and honest, communicating really well with everybody.

“Everybody knows their role and where they stand. It gives the players a lot of a lot of confidence, knowing where they stand.”

The last word goes to Ewart-Shadoff, who has recently had keyhole surgery and is free of the back pain that plagued her for much of the earlier part of the season.

“She’s very approachable,” Jodi said. “Obviously, Catriona has played a lot of Solheim Cups, so she knows what it’s all about and she’s very experienced in putting pairings together.

“She knows what she’s doing. I’m just personally very honoured to play on her team.”

Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist believes Catriona Matthew’s calm manner has made for a great atmosphere in the teamroom. Picture by PHIL INGLIS

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