‘I just grabbed the moment’ – Solheim Cup heroine says retirement wasn’t planned
Suzann Pettersen’s decision to retire after her moment of Solheim Cup glory was not planned, she has claimed, adding that even winning another major title couldn’t top the feeling.
The Norwegian settled an incredible competition by sinking the winning put on the last green of the last match at Gleneagles as Europe reclaimed the trophy.
Pettersen’s putter was barely back in its bag before she decided to call time on her career, though, and she says it was something that the moment demanded.
“It’s just a fairytale ending to what was an amazing week,” the two-time major champion said.
“It just came to me as I was standing there with everyone. It was not planned. I just grabbed the moment,”
“I’m done now. I told the girls this is it, I’m not going to do it again. I don’t have the nerves for it.”
Pettersen left golf in 2017 to become a mother, and was a surprising choice when handed a Solheim Cup spot by European captain Catriona Matthew.
In fact, having dropped to world number 665, she was all set for the vice-captaincy before being handed a wildcard.
That faith, though, was massively repaid – for both women.
“I never thought I was going to be able to do this again,” Pettersen added.
“I’ve always said it, the Solheims have meant the world to me.
“It’s probably [given me] the biggest highlights of my career and, being a part of that on Sunday on the 18th green, nothing is ever going to top it so I might as well leave on top and say enough is enough.
“It doesn’t matter if I win another major or regular tournament – nothing is going to beat it.
“For me, it was almost like a perfect stage to say goodbye to professional golf.”
GOLF365 is now on Instagram, don’t forget to check us our for more golf news, reviews and satire – CLICK RIGHT HERE! You can follow us on Twitter too.
Latest
-
NewsDaniel Gavins ‘speechless’ after stunning comeback seals first European Tour win
Gavins was ranked 995th in the world at the end of 2020 and had never previously recorded a single top-10 finish.
-
Matt CooperPunter’s pointers: The Olympic Men’s Golf Competition
Who will emulate Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson and Matt Kuchar in standing on the podium to collect Olympic medals this week?
-
NewsNacho Elvira dedicates dramatic Cazoo Open victory to Celia Barquin Arozamena
The 2018 European Ladies’ Amateur champion was murdered later in the year on a course in Iowa.
-
NewsMinjee Lee overturns a seven-shot deficit to take Evian Championship victory
A win over South Korea’s Jeongeun Lee6 in a play-off saw the Australian secure her first major title.
-
NewsMinjee Lee overturns a seven-shot deficit to take Evian Championship victory
A win over South Korea’s Jeongeun Lee6 in a play-off saw the Australian secure her first major title.
-
NewsMorikawa Clinches Second Career Major
It is fair to say that the recent 2021 edition was absolutely no different and with a number of early contenders once again falling.
-
NewsMatt Wallace out to show Padraig Harrington his desire to make Ryder Cup team
Wallace was overlooked for a wild card in 2018 despite winning for the third time in 15 starts.
-
NewsCollin Morikawa to reassess his goals after winning The Open at first attempt
The 24-year-old American has already won two majors.
-
NewsThe Open day four: Halfway to a career grand slam two years after turning pro
Collin Morikawa has added the Open to the US PGA, both of them won on tournament debut.