PETTERSEN READY FOR PROFESSIONAL RETURN

- By LET. 

Three years ago, Suzann Pettersen signed off her professional career with the perfect swansong at Gleneagles as she holed the winning putt at the 2019 Solheim Cup.

The Norwegian superstar retired on the spot bringing her triumphant career to a close and last year she added to her family giving birth to her second child.

Despite stepping away from the game, Pettersen was still involved in the Solheim Cup as a vice-captain under Catriona Matthew at the 2021 edition where Team Europe defended their title on U.S. soil.

While in November, it was announced that the 41-year-old would take the helm and she was to be the European Captain for the 2023 Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin in Spain.

But now Pettersen is getting ready to tee it up once again in a tournament on the Ladies European Tour (LET) at the Aramco Team Series – Jeddah, however before anyone asks, it is definitely not a comeback.

“As part of my captaincy role for next year’s Solheim Cup in Spain, I have decided to play in a few events and play a few Pro-Ams to get to know the players better,” she said.

“Playing in the penultimate event of the season will absolutely give me an opportunity to meet more of the players – especially in the team format of the competition.

“It will be a lot of fun to see familiar faces, but also I’m hoping to get to know more potential Team Europe players and get the latest updates from inside the Tour.”

With the LET going from strength to strength, Pettersen is paying close attention to the up-and-coming stars playing on Tour with one eye on next year’s event.

Solheim Cup winners Georgia Hall and Charley Hull, who have been integral to Team Europe in recent years, will also be teeing it up at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club.

Pettersen was present at the Aramco Team Series – Sotogrande earlier this year when she played in the Pro-Am alongside Anna Nordqvist and Matthew.

And the two-time Major champion admits she has played more golf this summer than she has in the past three years.

But the European Solheim Cup Captain is looking forward to being back on the LET having spoken to players about their experience in Sotogrande.

“There is a time for everything in life and the last few years have been very good,” she continued. “We have two kids now, we’re full of life and we are enjoying parenthood. It is by far the greatest gift in life.

“I’ve played more golf this summer than I have over the last three years. I am enjoying being out on the course again. I had a great day on the course in Sotogrande and I understand why these Aramco Team Series events are so popular.

“When I’ve spoken to players who have played in these events, they say they are having a great time and at the same time get to play great courses in really well run events!”