Leona Maguire bagged a 7-2-1 record while playing all her five sessions in her first two Solheim Cup appearances (2021, and 2023). However, this year, Suzann Pettersen did not make her a part of the four pairings in the opening round. Team USA was left at a lead after the round, and criticism fell on the captain for her decision.

The entire golf community scorned Pettersen for not letting Maguire play on Friday despite her outstanding records in the past two years. However, looks like the captain knows what exactly she is doing, and has an answer to it as well.

Suzann Pettersen was not satisfied with Leona Maguire’s match practice

When asked about her decision to not take Leona Maguire for the foursome on Friday, at the post-round presser, Pettersen stated that sometimes as a captain it is important to follow what your gut says. As she saw Leona on the practice days before the match, her performance fell pretty average to be included at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club.

“Under pressure, she might not kind of have executed the way she wanted to, and that kind of does something with your confidence, as well,” said the Captain. However, Pettersen also added that Maguire is a match player, and also a great golfer. But according to the foursome rule of the Solheim Cup, out of the twelve players, eleven players enter the field and one of them sits on the sidelines to replace anyone who might end up meeting with an emergency.

“I can’t just think of where I’m going to play Leona because it’s also got to fit with the remaining kind of possible player, how they’re paired up. That’s a huge part that comes into this,” she added. Pettersen also stated that she is preparing everyone in a way that they can give their 100% for the final round. Eventually, the end goal is to win the trophy and not collect individual points. And well, as per the captain, the entire team agrees with her.

Further in the presser, there was a question raised if Leona Maguire was not made a part of the foursome because she had an injury in her left wrist. However, it now looks like everything is just too much of an assumption.

Suzann Pettersen had no idea about the wrist injury

Throughout the match, Leona Maguire was seen wearing a tape on her left wrist while playing. This was what made the interviewer assume that Maguire might have injured her wrist, and that was one reason as to why she was sitting on the benches on Saturday. However, Suzann Pettersen clarified that she had no idea about it. But Mel Reid added, “Exactly. She likes the tan lines. She’s tan this week, so yeah.” They both agreed that it was for the show, and she likes her wrist taped up.

Suzzan Pettersen was also asked if she gave any kind of explanation to Leona Maguire for not having her be a part of the field on Saturday. To this, she replied, “We told all the girls. We don’t know what the afternoon is going to look like. That was a fact.” It was like a momentary thing. After the morning session, the entire team sat down to figure out the strategy and see if there could be any changes made. Well, according to the sitting, Maguire fell short of points, and thus the decision was made. What are your thoughts about Maguire being left out? Let us know in the comments section below!