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Meg Mallon named 2013 U.S. Solheim Cup Team Captain

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MEG MALLON NAMED 2013 U.S. SOLHEIM CUP TEAM CAPTAIN

Nine-time Solheim Cup participant to lead U.S. Team at Colorado Golf Club

DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA, Jan. 26, 2012 – Meg Mallon, an 18-time winner on the LPGA who represented the United States as a player in The Solheim Cup on eight different occasions and as assistant captain once, today was officially announced and introduced as U.S. Team Captain at the 2013 Solheim Cup, to be played Aug. 13-18, 2013 at Colorado Golf Club in Parker, Colo.

The announcement was made at the PGA Merchandise Show.  Mallon sat alongside PING Chairman & CEO John A. Solheim at the news conference which took place on the floor’s main stage and was hosted by LPGA Chief Communications Officer Kraig Kann.

“It’s an absolute honor to be selected as the 2013 U.S. Solheim Cup Team Captain,” said Mallon. “I’ve participated in The Solheim Cup on nine occasions and each has been a proud moment for me, but to represent the United States as team captain definitely caps off my career. I look forward to working hard on getting the Cup back in U.S. hands.”

Mallon’s boasts a 13-9-7 overall record in her eight Solheim Cup appearances with 16.5 points scored and a 5-2-1 record in singles competition. She has been a part of six U.S. Solheim Cup Team victories including 2009, when she served as one of Beth Daniel’s assistant captains alongside Kelly Robbins. Her 16 ½ points scored are second in U.S. history behind Juli Inkster.

The 48-year-old also served as victorious captain of the PING U.S. Junior Solheim Cup Team in 2011, an experience she hopes will benefit her in Denver next year.

“It was exciting to be a part of the future of The Solheim Cup in Ireland last year,” said Mallon. “It was such an interesting experience because I didn’t know the players very well going in, but we really bonded well and it turned out to be such a rewarding week. I really think it will influence my style in 2013.”

Mallon’s 18 career LPGA victories, including four major championships, earned her more than $9 million in a 24-year-career on the Tour. In 1991, she earned her first four titles, including the U.S. Women’s Open and LPGA Championship.  She went on to win multiple tournaments in five separate years, including 2004, when she won her second U.S. Women’s Open 13 years after her first and crossed the $1 million in season earnings for the second time in her career.

“As an eight-time Solheim Cup participant and an 18-time winner on the LPGA Tour, Meg Mallon is a wonderful choice to captain the U.S. Solheim Cup Team in 2013,” said John A. Solheim, PING Chairman & CEO.  “She has always displayed a genuine passion for the Solheim Cup and she is one of the most respected and well-liked figures in women’s golf. Meg received high praise as an assistant Solheim Cup captain, and last fall she captained the U.S. PING Junior Solheim Cup team as they retained the Cup after a final day comeback in Ireland. I know the U.S. Team will love playing for Meg on home soil at Colorado Golf Club. She has my congratulations on a position that is well earned.”

The European Team won the most recent Solheim Cup, one of the most thrilling in recent memory, with a Sunday afternoon surge last September at Killeen Castle in Ireland.  The U.S. Team leads 8-4 through 12 editions of The Solheim Cup and has never lost on home soil.

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Mallon thrilled to be 2013 U.S. Solheim Cup Team Captain

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Eighteen-time LPGA winner and nine-time Solheim Cup participant Meg Mallon was introduced as Captain of the 2013 U.S. squad at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando on Jan. 26. The four-time major champion was humbled by the honor and said she will take the role very seriously as the U.S. Team attempts to win back the cup from the European Team, Aug. 16-18, at Colorado Golf Club in Parker, Colo. Former LPGA media relations coordinator and 2013 Solheim Cup PR Manager Neal Reid caught up with Mallon to get her thoughts on her selection.

Q: How did you find out about your selection, and what was your response?
MM: I got a wonderful phone call from Mike Whan, the Commissioner, and I was really surprised. It was a wonderful phone call to get, and Mike was great. I think I paused for a second, because it took a little while for it to sink in when he told me.

Q: You had to know you had a shot at the position since your name was on a short list of potential captains, right?
MM: Well, you never know. You hear your name being mentioned, but until you really hear it come out of the Commissioner’s mouth, it’s a whole different story. It was really nice. It was a nice surprise, for sure.

Q: The Solheim Cup was always very special for you during your playing career, so how special is it to be chosen for this role?
MM: It’s really a tremendous honor and something I will take very seriously. I will work very hard for the next year-and-a-half to make sure my team is ready, comfortable and at their best to play. I’m excited to try and get that Cup back in Colorado and excited for everybody at the Colorado Golf Club. Obviously, representing your country is the greatest honor you can have.

Q: What makes The Solheim Cup so special as an event and as an international spectacle?
MM: First and foremost, it’s really the only opportunity we have to represent our country. The Olympics are coming up now, but this has basically been our Olympics. You play an individual sport and have the opportunity to not only play on a team, but to represent your country. That’s really a unique experience and is something every American player would love to do.

Q: How will your experience playing in eight Solheim Cups help you as Captain?
MM: Well, you definitely find out who you are in this event. It brings out all of your patriotism and desire as well. It will be fun for me to see how each player handles everything and develops throughout the event. That’s the best part about it – the experiences each player has.

Q: How do you think your experience as an Assistant Captain in 2009 will help you as Captain?
MM: It was very good to get that experience as Assistant Captain, to learn under Beth Daniel and see how much work goes into it. It’s not just about that one week, but two years of preparation. So, it’s good to know what I have coming forward and how important it is to develop a good team around you. It will be really fun in the next year-and-a-half to see how it all transpires. The good thing is that I know a lot of the American players really well, and it will be fun to see how hard they play over the next year-an

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2011 Solheim Cup – Final Notes and Interviews

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The Solheim Cup
Killeen Castle
County Meath, Ireland
Sept. 25, 2011
Final-round notes and interviews

U.S. Team
Rosie Jones – Team Captain
Paula Creamer
Juli Inkster
Brittany Lang
Morgan Pressel
Michelle Wie		 Europe Team
Europe Team
Alison Nicholas – Team Captain
Karen Stupples
Catriona Matthew
Sandra Gal
Sophie Gustafson
Maria Hjorth
Christel Boeljon

 

Europe regained control of The Solheim Cup for the first time since 2003 with 15-13 victory over USA at Killeen Castle in Ireland. While the focus early in the day surrounded Cristie Kerr conceding her match to Karen Stupples due to a wrist injury, it quickly shifted the weather and then to the most electrifying final 30 minutes in the history of The Solheim Cup. Norway’s Suzann Pettersen stole the spotlight with three-consecutive birdies to close out Michelle Wie with a 1 up victory that swung the momentum to Team Europe. Solheim Cup rookie Caroline Hedwall, a member of both the LPGA and LET, then battled back from two down on the 16th hole against fellow rookie Ryann O’Toole to squeeze out a half point, setting up Azahara Munoz, who was walking to the 18th tee with a 1 up lead over Angela Stanford, to clinch the 15th and final point for Team Europe.

Two separate delays – first for unplayable course conditions and then for lightning – prolonged the day, but in the end, the finale was worth the wait. Though the U.S. Team seemed to have control of singles play early in the day, needing just six points to retain the Cup, it was Scotland’s Catriona Matthew who made an opening statement and offered a sign of things to come with a 6&5 victory over Paula Creamer, who was previously undefeated in singles play. Sophie Gustafson then proceeded to earn yet another point for the Europeans as she won the 18th hole to secure a 2 up victory over Kraft Nabiso Champion Stacy Lewis. It was all red, white and blue in the next few matches beginning with Brittany Lang’s 6&5 victory over Sandra Gal. Morgan Pressel earned another point for the U.S. with a  2&1 victory over Anna Nordqvist to close out this year’s Solheim Cup undefeated and improve her overall record to 7-2-2. All eyes were then focused on the match of Solheim Cup veterans and golf legends Laura Davies and Juli Inkster. LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame member Inkster went into the 18th hole one down to Davies, but the match ended with a duel from the greenside bunker after Inkster got up-and-down for a half point. It was

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2011 Solheim Cup: Day Two Notes and Interviews

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The Solheim Cup
Killeen Castle
County Meath, Ireland
Sept. 24, 2011

Day two notes and interviews

U.S. Team
Rosie Jones – U.S. Team Captain
Ryann O’Toole/Stacy Lewis
Paula Creamer/Brittany Lincicome

Europe Team
Alison Nicholas – Europe Team Captain
Laura Davies/Melissa Reid
Suzann Pettersen
Azahara Munoz

Saturday Morning Foursome Recap…Team Europe continued their solid play on home soil to extend their lead to 7-5 over the U.S. The dominant duo of Caroline Hedwall and Sophie Gustafson earned the first point of the morning with a convincing 6&5 victory over Texans Angela Stanford and Stacy Lewis. The Americans wouldn’t go out without a fight as Morgan Pressel and Ryann O’Toole claimed a 3&2 victory over Christel Boeljon and Karen Stupples after winning their last three holes. The last and final European flag of the morning went up as Maria Hjorth and Anna Nordqvist defeated Brittany Lang and U.S. Assistant Captain Juli Inkster 3&2. In the morning’s final match, Azahara Munoz and Catriona Matthew won the 18th hole with a par to defeat Cristie Kerr and Paula Creamer.

Saturday Afternoon Four-Ball Recap… Team Europe began Saturday afternoon in record breaking fashion as Laura Davies and Melissa Reid teamed together to defeat Brittany Lang and Michelle Wie 4&3. The win catapulted Davies ahead of Annika Sorenstam for the most points earned in Solheim Cup history with 24 ½ points. But the afternoon matches belonged to Team U.S. as they began to stage a comeback beginning with a match that contained four Solheim Cup rookies. Stacy Lewis and Ryann O’Toole combined for nine birdies to lead the charge with a 2&1 victory over Christel Boeljon and Sandra Gal. Morgan Pressel and Cristie Kerr then followed suit with a 1 up victory over Suzann Pettersen and Caroline Hedwall. In the final match of the day, Brittany Lincicome and Paula Creamer defeated Maria Hjorth and Azahara Munoz 3&1 to pull the U.S. even with Europe at 8-8.

Record Breaking… Saturday proved to be a record setting day for LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour veteran Laura Davies as she set the record for all-time points earned in Solheim Cup history with 24 ½ points. Davies overtook Annika Sorenstam after she teamed with Melissa Reid to defeat Americans Brittany Lang and Michelle Wie 4&3 during Saturday’s Four-Ball.

Currently tied 8-8 with the U.S. Team, Davies has one less thing on her mind entering tomorrow’s singles play. “It’s nice to finally get past Annika who obviously has a spectacular record and it’s nice to have done it before the singles,” said Davies. “Now I can go out there and not worry about oh, I want to beat the record because I might never be here again, so at least I’ve done it and gotten it out of the way.”

Playing in her 12th Solheim Cup, Davies also leads the pack in most Solheim Cups played trailed by U.S. Assistant Captain Juli Inkster who is playing in her ninth.

Single them out! The U.S. Team holds a 69-42-13 advantage over Europe in singles play dating b

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2011 Solheim Cup – Day One Notes and Interviews

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The Solheim Cup
Killeen Castle
County Meath, Ireland
Sept. 23, 2011
Day one notes and interviews

U.S. Team
Rosie Jones – Team Captain
Morgan Pressel / Paula Creamer
Vicky Hurst
Christina Kim / Ryan O’Toole
Cristie Kerr

Europe Team
Alison Nicholas – Team Captain
Caroline Headwall
Sandra Gal / Catriona Matthew
Suzann Pettersen / Anna Nordqvist
Laura Davies

 

The 12th staging of The Solheim Cup teed off Friday morning at Killeen Castle in County Meath, Ireland. The Alison Nicholas-led European Team took a 4 ½ to 3 ½ point lead over Rosie Jones and the U.S. Team following eight matches of play on a cold and windy day outside Dublin. The Europeans are looking to avenge three consecutive losses to the U.S. in Solheim Cup competition.

Friday morning Foursomes recap. The U.S. and European Teams battled to a 2-2 draw through the Friday morning Foursomes matches at The 2011 Solheim Cup. The American duo of Cristie Kerr and Michelle Wie claimed the first point of the event with a 2&1 victory over Maria Hjorth and Anna Nordqvist, but Europe struck back with a 3&2 win by Catriona Matthew and Azahara Munoz over Texans Stacy Lewis and Angela Stanford. Paula Creamer and Brittany Lincicome defeated Karen Stupples and Mel Reid, 1 up, after winning three of their last four holes. In the morning’s final match, Suzann Pettersen and Sophie Gustafson defeated U.S. Assistant Captain Juli Inkster and Brittany Lang, 1 up, after Pettersen rolled in a birdie on the 18th hole.

Friday afternoon Four-Ball recap. Team Europe took control early on Friday afternoon, covering the scoreboard with European flags in every match. Caroline Hedwall and Sophie Gustafson gave Brittany Lincicome and Vicky Hurst a rude awakening with a 5&4 win to start the afternoon scoring. The tide started to turn for the Americans when Paula Creamer made birdie at 17 and Morgan Pressel made birdie at 18 to win 1 up over Mel Reid and Laura Davies to give the U.S. Team their first point of the afternoon. At nearly the same time, Christina Kim birdied 16 followed by a Ryann O’Toole birdie at 17 which led to a half point against Catriona Matthew and Sandra Gal when the teams split 18. Suzann Pettersen and Anna Nordqvist added a 1 up win over Cristie Kerr and Michelle Wie to finish the scoring in what could have been a disastrous day for the U.S. Team. Europe leads the USA, 4 ½ to 3 ½, entering Saturday morning’s Foursomes matches at the 2011 Solheim Cup.

Of note… The U.S. and European Teams were tied after the first session for the first-ever time in 12 editions of The Solheim Cup… Cristie Kerr and Michelle Wie are now 2-0 as a team in Solheim Cup foresomes play with both of their victories coming over the European team of Anna Nordqvist and Maria Hjorth (2011 – 2&1; 2009 – 1 up)… Kerr and Wie were the only duo to pair up twice on Friday in both Foursomes and Four-ball… Cristel Boeljon was the only player on either team who did not play a match on Frida

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