KirkwoodGolf

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

SKIPPER ALFREDSSON PICKS FELLOW SWEDES
AS SOLHEIM CUP WILD CARDS

European team captain Helen Alfredsson has chosen fellow-Swedes, Maria Hjorth and Linda Wessberg, as two of her three wild card selections the Solheim Cup match against United States at Halmstadt Golf Club, Sweden from September 14 to 16.
Hjorth recently tied for second at the Women's British Open and currently leads the European money list. Wessberg, a winner at this year's Open de France, will be making her first Solheim Cup appearance in front of her home crowd.
"Maria has played really well recently, particularly at the HSBC Women's Matchplay and Women's British Open, which were two world-class events on testing golf courses," Alfredsson said.
"She's also the leading player on the money list and with her strength and experience we didn't even think of not having her in the team."
The other wild card went to another Scandinavian, Iben Tinning of Denmark, a five-time winner on the European Tour and a member of the last three Solheim Cup teams in 2002, '03 and '05.
"Iben is another strong player with plenty of experience and some solid recent form," Alfredsson said. "We've been impressed by Iben's short game in recent events and her ability to make important putts. We also really like her attitude and her mental strength.
"Linda has played really well over the past few weeks in the big tournaments and particularly on the longer courses. We've been impressed by her game and again, her mental strength, and are really excited to have her as one of the three rookies in the team."
Sweden dominates the team with four players. The two others are Annika Sorenstam and Sophie Gustafson.
Others on the team are LPGA champion Suzann Pettersen of Norway, Gwladys Nocera of France, Bettina Hauert of Germany, Catriona Matthew from North Berwick, Becky Brewerton (Wales) and the English pair of Trish Johnson and Laura Davies.
The other rookies are Hauert, the second German to represent Europe in Solheim Cup history, and Brewerton.

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