Suzann Pettersen to captain Europe in next two Solheim Cups

Suzann Pettersen will look to emulate the "calmness" of predecessor Catriona Matthew after being handed the task of captaining Europe in the next two editions of the Solheim Cup.

The two-time major winner, who was already preparing to lead the side in September's contest in Spain, has also been appointed for the 2024 clash in the United States.

The two encounters are being held just a year apart as a result of the Solheim Cup moving to even years to avoid clashing with the Ryder Cup, with Stacy Lewis also captaining the US team this year and next.

Europe are seeking an unprecedented hat-trick of wins after Matthew captained the side to victory in Ohio in 2021 and Gleneagles in 2019, where wild card Pettersen holed the winning putt and promptly announced her retirement.

The 41-year-old Norwegian is renowned as a fiery competitor and was famously involved in a controversial incident over an unconceded putt in the 2015 contest, but plans to take a calmer approach to captaincy.

"I’ve thought a lot about this, but obviously my competitive side has kind of changed a little bit after, first of all, becoming a mother and then second stepping away from a competitive life," Pettersen said.

"That feistiness and determination I had inside the ropes is probably still there, but it doesn’t become clear as often as it used to.

"But I really admire how Beany (Matthew’s nickname) captained the last two.

"Obviously I’ve seen a lot of other great captains as well that I’ve played under, but Beany in particular kind of showed how her calmness, her just being herself in all aspects, made it so easy a place to relate to and kind of feel comfortable.

"So I think I’m going to be more of the outside-the-ropes more relaxed Suzann than you’ve probably