Annika Sorenstam has been named captain of the 2021 European Ping Junior Solheim Cup team, the LET announced.
Team Europe will take on the United States at the Inverness Club immediately prior to the main event, set for Sept. 4-6 in Toledo, Ohio.
Sorenstam represented Europe in eight Solheim Cups and a served as captain in 2017 at Des Moines Golf and Country Club in Iowa. Since retiring from the tour in 2008, the LPGA and World Golf Hall of Famer has placed a significant focus on her foundation, which hosts seven global events for junior girls annually, including the ANNIKA Invitational Europe. At the recent AIG Women’s British Open, 45 players in the field had competed in Sorenstam’s junior events.
“I am really excited to captain the Europeans in next year’s PING Junior Solheim Cup,” said Sorenstam. “In the last decade, more than 90 percent of the players on the U.S. and European Solheim Cup teams have played in at least one of our seven global junior events. I already know most of the girls who will be aiming to qualify for next year’s European team and I look forward to working with them in Toledo.”
Of the 12 players who represented Europe in the 2019 contest at Glenagles, 10 had previously played on a Junior Solheim Cup team. Recent AIG winner Sophia Popov of Germany competed in 2009 against a U.S. team that included Lexi Thompson and Jessica Korda.
“We are delighted that Annika has accepted the PING Junior Solheim Cup captaincy,” said Alexandra Armas, CEO of the LET. “The young competitors are going to have an amazing opportunity to spend time and learn from undoubtedly, one of the best minds in the game.”
To be eligible for the 12-person team, juniors must not have turned 18 prior to Jan. 1, 2021 or be enrolled in a college program.
