SOLHEIM CUP

September 13, 2024

Suzann Pettersen

Robert Trent Jones Golf Club

Team Europe

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Welcome to the media center for the 2024 Solheim Cup after the first day of competition. We're here with European team captain Suzann Pettersen.

Suzann, probably not the way you wanted the day to go, but a great big win in the afternoon from Anna and Madelene. What are the big takeaways you have from today's play?

SUZANN PETTERSEN: Obviously we kind of had -- I wouldn't say poor start, but we made progression in our morning session from last year, which was good; one step in the right direction.

The afternoon, yeah, 1 point out of the 4. I want to say we played opponents that are playing fantastic golf, that's number one. Sometimes we almost invite them to play even better sometimes.

At the same time, we have to face reality, and we have a massive job to do. We proved to ourselves we were capable of doing this last year, so the belief is there. There's a lot of points yet to be played for.

We've just got to come out tomorrow hungry. I think the players need to feel some kind of a revenge to kind of feel like they can get some momentum going.

It's always hard when you see your opponents making putt after putt, and then we don't make any. So I think it's a combination of everything. At the same time, the Americans played fantastic.

Q. Suzann, I know it's always tricky making some of these pairings, but have you maybe leaned on more statistics this year than you did last year when making these pairings?

SUZANN PETTERSEN: Not really. It's a combination of stats, form, and kind of dynamics and also kind of how we feel.

But I always like to kind of base ideas off something that's kind of on paper, and a lot of times we turn it down.

At this point, yes, stats are handy, we all know that; but at the same time, you've also got to go with who's playing the best. So there's a combination, but I wouldn't say at this point you skip the stats because it still gives you a guideline.

I think there's more statistic work leading up to this event to kind of prepare ourselves for kind of different options because, if you start that this week, you'll turn crazy.

Q. And then just to speak to Madelene, obviously made some big putts out there today. I know she's talked about the past she was kind of disappointed with her first couple Solheim Cups, with how she's played. How fun was it for you as a captain to watch someone who's grinded so hard to do well in the Solheim Cup actually have some success today?

SUZANN PETTERSEN: Even though it was tough day, we had little small victories within our team today. It was great to get Albane and Esther getting their first experience out of the way. I'm sure they will feel comfortable on the course moving forward.

At the same time, you have Anna and Madelene, who kind of got paired together. Madelene kind of finally coming out on the strong side, and then obviously Anna, with what she's been through over the last year, for her it felt a huge relief for her to come out here today, feel free, played solid, and got a solid win.

So within all of it, it's a lot of small victories as well along the way, which kind of means a lot.

Q. I think people will be fairly surprised that Leona can only play up to three sessions in this Solheim Cup now. Why sit her tomorrow morning?

SUZANN PETTERSEN: You got the pairings? Leona has nothing to prove to anyone. She's kind of helped us win the last two Solheims and she's been our MVP, solid over the last two Solheims.

Leona this week, maybe, if you take away her stats, like her mentality, her game isn't maybe right where she wants it to be, which at the end of the day you've got to play form.

So I think that's what it comes down to, but she has nothing to prove to anyone. She's kind of done it all and proven to all of us and the rest of the world that she is capable of the impossible.

Yeah, it's golf, to be honest.

Q. Were you aware of the shuttle delays for the fans getting to the course this morning, and how did you find out, if so?

SUZANN PETTERSEN: Well, I was told there were some issues with the transportation coming in. I'm pretty sure that's all sorted now. I think the crowds this afternoon was really, really good. I'm sure it's going to be super crowded over the next couple of days, especially with the way the Americans have kind of got the energy in the crowds as well.

Hopefully we can see even more people to come out and watch some phenomenal golf.

Q. What does it mean to have a hiccup like that ahead of one of the biggest moments for women's -- or biggest events for women's golf?

SUZANN PETTERSEN: In relation to?

Q. To not having fans on the 1st tee this morning.

SUZANN PETTERSEN: Oh, there were fans out there, for sure. Not too many Europeans overall today, I felt like. Toledo, here, it didn't make a difference. We were outspoken pretty much.

Q. What are you looking forward to tomorrow as you head back out to foursomes day two?

SUZANN PETTERSEN: I think the players are dying to go back out there and prove to themselves that they are capable of bringing more points to the board. I think that's the general kind of guideline.

You do see some familiar pairings in there. So, yeah, we'll see. Hopefully we'll start with the first match tomorrow, and then we'll take one match -- one at a time.

But we have a job to do clearly, and it ain't going to be easy.