Anna Nordqvist: “This is Our Year!”

First-time European Solheim Cup Captain, Anna Nordqvist, will lead the team out at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands, from September 7-13, and she says it will be “the honour of a lifetime.”

A nine-time LPGA tournament winner, who has won three Major championship titles, at the 2009 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, the 2017 Amundi Evian Championship and the 2021 AIG Women’s Open, Nordqvist has the third most wins of any player on the LPGA from Sweden, only behind Annika Sorenstam and Liselotte Neumann. On the Ladies European Tour, Nordqvist has notched five further victories and was the 2009 Rookie of the Year.

As Solheim Cup player, Nordqvist has competed in nine Solheim Cups and served as a playing vice-captain under Suzann Pettersen in 2023 and 2024. In 2013, She was the first player to make an ace in Solheim Cup history. Prior to turning professional, she spent two-and-a-half seasons at Arizona State University, where, in 2007, she was named NCAA Freshman of the Year and PAC10 Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year. She is a first team All-American, first team academic All-American in 2007 and 2008. Although she now lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, she loves nothing more than donning the blue and yellow to represent her continent of Europe and her native country of Sweden. Here, she tells us about her Solheim Cup highlights and why this is Europe’s year.

Tell us about your greatest memories from playing in the Solheim Cup.

Looking back, there have been so many; some inside the ropes and some outside the ropes. There is a kind of a legendary picture of Suzann (Pettersen), me, Catriona Matthew and Graeme Matthew, her husband, in Colorado, after we went 4-0 that afternoon. Inside the ropes, I think that match with Caroline (Hedwall), in Colorado in 2013, was the standout memory. We had so much adrenaline after winning hole 16. It was a tied match against Jess Korda and Morgan Pressel. Walking up to the 17^th tee and making an ace there. It’s all of those moments, when you combine them together.  All my nieces and nephews joined me in the practise round in Spain, in 2023, on the 18^th hole, and that was the first time they really got to see what I do for a living and why I’m never home, so that moment, in that practise round, is one of the moments I look back at.

How do you balance playing for a living and being a Solheim Cup Captain?

I was 18 years old when I moved away to the States, so it’s almost 20 years now. My family don’t see much of me. There are weeks here and there. It’s the sacrifice I make to be living my dream. The last couple of years, they have really embraced coming to the Solheim Cup. They love the event with all their heart. I think it was in 2017, they started dressing up and ever since, they have shown up with outfit after outfit. I think they had a meeting the other day. I’m not included in this group chat about what their outfits will be about, but having their support and seeing how much they love the event and how much the kids now love it, is immense. I came back from the Solheim Cup in 2023 and I went straight back to Sweden. I have twin nephews and all of a sudden we are playing Solheim Cup in the back yard. They had the visors. One was US and one was Europe. It was quite fun. I love to see what an impact this tournament really makes. Last year, it was really hard trying to do both and I think more work, which I truly have enjoyed. Trying to play and go on some trips, I’m trying to be even better about prioritising things and trying to stay on top of things when I can so I can focus on both roles. Playing on Tour while doing this, I wanted to do it and I signed up for it. I wanted to be there with the girls, so I see them every week. I feel like that way I’m more approachable and I’m doing this journey with them.

What are your best travel tips when you spend so many nights away from home?

I would say do not start out the first week of your trip fully packed and maxed out on your weight, because there’s always so much stuff you pick up along the way. Over the years, I’ve travelled lighter and lighter, with my carry on, but also including stuff that makes you feel at home. Over the years, I started staying in more Airbnbs than hotels, just to get that homely feeling and be able to cook a little bit. You try to take some of those moments on the road with you. The longer I’ve travelled, the harder it is to leave home. The last couple of months, I’ve been able to be home in Arizona and I’ve really enjoyed it because it’s just been non-stop for so many years. You appreciate waking up in your own bed, having a washing machine, a refrigerator, the small things. If you can take some of those things on the road, you will be in a good place.

Being a Captain is a tremendous responsibility, and you’ve played for quite a few. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received from a Solheim Cup Captain?

I’ve been fortunate to play under so many, and I think you learn something from each one. Now I’m in the position of being the Captain myself, which I don’t think will really hit me until I get to Holland, the week of the Solheim Cup, I think I appreciate what they did a lot more. The best advice I’ve been given, and I could see it in Beany (Catriona Matthew) and I could see it in Liselotte Neumann, is to truly be yourself. I’m following big shoes in Suzann, but I can’t be Suzann. I just need to try to be myself. I think with Ali Nicholas, she was also herself. You have to be true to yourself and lead the way you lead, not trying to be someone you’re not.

Which European Rookies are you keeping your eye on?

Lottie Woad is a non-brainer, Mimi Rhodes and Chiara Tamburlini, who had a really strong season the Ladies European Tour last year. They got their LPGA cards this year so it will be interesting to see what happens.

If you had to predict the eventual Solheim Cup score, what’s it going to be?

Given how strong women’s golf is, I think it’s going to be a really tight match. Obviously, I would hope it works out in Europe’s favour and I’m going to say 15-13. This is our year!

Tell us what it means to you to have the honour of captaining your Solheim Cup team.

I think it’s the honour of a lifetime.