Catriona Matthew gets Solheim Cup spot

• Catriona Matthew selected as one of four Solheim Cup picks
• Will be making her eight appearance for Europe next month
• Caroline Masson, Caroline Hedwall & Karine Icher the other three

Catriona Matthew has been selected by European captain Carin Koch as one of four wildcard picks for the forthcoming Solheim Cup in Germany next month.

It will mark the Scot’s eighth appearance in the biennial tournament – she made her debut in 1998 and has only missed the 2000 and 2002 matches since – and she has been joined by Caroline Hedwall, Caroline Masson and Karin Elcher after Koch unveiled the players on Sky Sports News’ Sportswomen show earlier today.

None of the other 11 players are more experienced than Matthew – Suzann Pettersen will also be playing in her eighth Solheim Cup – and the 2009 Women’s British Open champion, who gained the winning point at Barsebäck in Sweden in 2003 and secured the half that won the Cup outright in Colorado in 2013, revealed her joy at being chosen to represent Europe once more at Golf Club St Leon-Rot.

“It has always been my favourite event” – Catriona Matthew

“Obviously I was delighted and very excited when Carin gave me the phone call and I can’t wait to play in the Solheim Cup,” said Catriona Matthew, who hasn’t lost a singles match since her debut in 1998. “It has always been my favourite event and to play as part of a team is so good. Since winning in Colorado, my main aim has been to get in the team. As you get older, it gets harder to qualify but this will be my eighth one so it will be great to play at home and hopefully defend it.”

Shortly after her selection was made public, Matthew also tweeted:

Like Catriona Matthew, 46, the three other wildcard picks were all part of the victorious European side in Colorado two years ago. French star Icher, 36, will be making her first Solheim Cup start on European soil, having also played in Minnesota back in 2002, while German Masson will be hoping to capitalise on a successful debut last time out in front of a home crowd.

Hedwall, meanwhile, entered the record books by claiming five points from a possible in Europe’s 18-10 triumph last time out, which followed on from her successful debut in Ireland in 2011, where she picked up two-and-a-half points from a possible four to help Alison Nicholas’ team to a narrow 15-13 victory.

“We’ve got a great mixture of youth and experience which really excites me as captain,” said Koch. “Each of our players has a role to play and I have a team of stars. Now the team is finalised we can all have full focus for the week in Germany and I can’t wait to see the players together at Golf Club St Leon-Rot.”

European team in full:

• Carlota Ciganda, 25, Spain;
• Sandra Gal, 30, Germany;
• Caroline Hedwall, 26, Sweden;
• Charley Hull, 19, England;
• Karine Icher, 36, France;
• Caroline Masson, 26, Germany;
• Catriona Matthew, 46, Scotland;
• Azahara Muñoz, 27, Spain;
• Gwladys Nocera, 40, France;
• Anna Nordqvist, 28, Sweden;
• Suzann Pettersen, 34, Norway;
• Melissa Reid, 27, England.

All 24 members of the European and United States teams will play in the Evian Championship in France from September 10-13 before travelling directly to Germany for the Solheim Cup the following week.

Catriona Matthew :: Up for the Cup

What do you make of the 2015 European Solheim Cup team? And do you think Europe can win for a third successive match? Leave your thoughts in the ‘Comments’ section below.