Annika Sörenstam named 2017 Solheim Cup Captain

Sörenstam will be looking to regain the Solheim Cup after Europe lost it to USA last year in Germany.

Annika Sörenstam will captain team Europe in next year's Solheim Cup at Des Moines Golf and Country Club in Iowa.

The Swede is regarded as one of the greatest golfers that has ever lived, having won 89 pro tournaments and 10 major championships.

She has played in eight Solheim Cups and will be captaining Europe in the event's 15th playing.

The 45-year-old has won 22 matches for Europe, which no other European has surpassed.

Laura Davies also has 22 Solheim Cup match-wins but has played nine more matches.

Sörenstam was vice-captain to Carin Koch at last year's Solheim Cup in Germany where USA defeated Europe in a contest that was marred in controversy.

She was also vice-captain in 2011 and 2013 and won the cup as a player at Loch Lomond in 2000 and Barsebäck Golf & Country Club in 2003.

"It's an absolute honour to be named the 2017 European Solheim Cup team captain" she said. "The Solheim Cup was a very important component of my playing career and I've enjoyed working as a vice-captain the last three cups to prepare for this opportunity. The event has really grown over the last decade and we look forward to representing Europe in Des Moines, a tremendous golf market."

A nine-strong selection panel which includes the last three European captains - Carin Koch, Liselott Neumann and Alison Nicholas - as well as the Ladies European Tour Chairwoman Helena Alterby Nordstrom unanimously voted in Sörenstam's favour.

PING Chairman and CEO John Solheim said: "Annika's experience in the Solheim Cup and steely determination are the perfect combination to lead the European team next year at Des Moines Golf and Country Club. She has been a role model for the game's current stars, many of whom will now draw inspiration from her as they seek to recapture the Solheim Cup."

Annika Sörenstam is one of only four women to play in a men's PGA Tour event when she teed it up at Colonial in 2003.