Solheim Cup star Jodi Ewart Shadoff is ready for mind games with the USA – and with a psychology degree she’s confident she’ll come out on top.
The Englishwoman was named as one of European captain Catriona Matthew’s four wild cards picks last week for next month’s clash with the United States.
It will be Ewart Shadof’s third time competing for Europe. But when the going gets tough at Gleneagles from September 13, she will draw on her knowledge of the human mind.
She gained her degree while studying in America on a golf scholarship and she uses her training to her advantage.
The 31-year-old said: “I’ve definitely drawn on my knowledge of psychology and used it to my advantage, especially in matchplay. That could be knowing when to play more aggressive or safe or sensing if my opponent is vulnerable.
“It can be a big help when playing with a partner as well. You can help her if you sense she is on edge just as you can exploit it if you sense the same from an opponent.
“I play week-in, week-out against all the American players so you get an idea of their regular routine.
“So you can sense when someone is out of their routine, not feeling comfortable. “There are signs when you know they’re feeling the pressure.
“The back nine is always crucial and you can tell when someone starts to get a little bit nervous.
“Even the littlest things can give you a glimpse of what ’s going through their mind. “My degree was about general clinical psychology but I’ve always been interested in applying that to sport.
“It’s especially important in matchplay because the demands are completely different to strokeplay – and I’ve always performed better at matchplay.
“I love going head-to-head, being aggressive, to ask questions of my opponent.”
That Ewart Shadof is part of this team is thanks to Scots skipper Matthew naming her among the four captain’s picks that completes her 12-strong team for next month’s big showdown.
Jodi said: “I love Catriona. She is a player who I’ve always looked up to and I think she’s going to make an amazing captain.
“I’m looking forward to being on her team and I’m just going to play as hard as I can and hopefully prove to her that she made the right pick.
“It was a nerve-wracking wait for that phone to ring last weekend to break the news – but thankfully when Catriona called it was the news I wanted to hear.
“Making the team is my top goal every Solheim Cup year because it’s an amazing experience.
“This will be my third time but it will be my frst in Europe so it will be fun to have everyone cheering for me rather than against me!”
Among those cheering for on will be her American husband Adam Shadoff – a sports anchor and reporter for a television news station in Orlando.
She insists there will be no dilemma of divided loyalty on her hubby’s part. Jodi said: “He’s got his priorities right! When my pick was announced he even tweeted: ‘Let’s go Europe’!”
