Catriona Matthew has been re-appointed as captain of the European team for the 2021 Solheim Cup. The Scot, who will lead the European team at Inverness Golf Club in Toledo, Ohio, was unveiled at a conference of press at the Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland, the scene of Europe's triumph over the United States, in September.

Solheim Cup: Catriona Matthew will return as captain in 2021

Catriona Matthew - © Ladies European Tour

Matthew will try to become the first European captain to win the Solheim Cup multiple times. She led the European team to a 14½ - 13½ victory at the Solheim Cup 2019, the UK's most popular women's golf tournament ever and the most watched on television.

Matthew said the thrilling event was the pinnacle of his career, and that he even overshadowed his major victory at the Women's British Open 2009.

Reflecting on the dramatic victory and the task ahead, Matthew said:

“To win the Solheim Cup in Scotland was a dream come true, but to accompany it with a victory in America would be even better. "

“It's always more difficult to win on American soil, but I am honored to be in charge of this mission. I was lucky enough to be part of the first European team to win on American soil at Colorado Golf Club in 2013 so I know what is possible. "

“The USA team played really well at Gleneagles, but what we've accomplished this year and what it means for people around the world will be extra motivation. I can't wait to get to work, build the next team and see what Europe can do at Inverness Club. It's a very Scottish name, so I hope that's a good omen! "

“Anyone who has attended the Solheim Cup 2019 at Gleneagles in Scotland can be sure that it was an exceptional international event that set a new benchmark for women's golf, but it's the start of a new two-year journey,” so I'm going to put all my experience together, take it forward and do my best to bring the trophy back to Europe in 2021. ”

Matthew, who has won 11 professional tournaments, made his Solheim Cup debut in 1998 and played nine times for Europe in that competition. She was instrumental in four Solheim Cup wins, three times as a competitor, in 2003, 2011 and 2013 and as a winning captain in 2019.

“I am very happy that Catriona has agreed to be captain of the European Solheim Cup team in 2021 at Inverness Club. Her leadership at Gleneagles played an important role in her team's dazzling victory. She created a tight-knit squad who firmly believed in their ability to win games when it mattered most. Bringing this winning experience to America under his leadership will be of great help to the European team as they prepare to successfully defend the Solheim Cup. "

John Solheim, President and CEO of PING

The European Solheim Cup 2019 team praised Matthew.

Solheim Cup: Catriona Matthew will return as captain in 2021

Catriona Matthew at the Solheim Cup 2019 in Gleneagles - © Ladies European Tour

Suzann Pettersen, who scored a 2,43-meter putt to win on the 18th green in the final game at Gleneagles, said: “I am delighted that Catriona is returning as captain. She is a classy player who obviously inspires all the players and everyone on the team around her. She's not only a Solheim Cup legend, she's also a great leader, friend and mother. She had faith in me to choose me as the wild card, and I will always be grateful to her for that, and she deserves all the credit. "

Dame Laura Davies, vice-captain in 2019, said: “Everyone enjoyed the game at Gleneagles so much and I think Catriona was such a great captain that she deserves the chance to go for the trophy again. I look forward to another great competition in Ohio. "

The 17th edition of the Solheim Cup, which will take place from Tuesday August 31 to Monday September 6, 2021, is in the tradition and history of the biennial transatlantic competition.

The Inverness Club, designed by Donald Ross, has a major championship pedigree having hosted several of the best championships in golf, including four US Open (1920, 1931, 1957, 1979), two PGA Championships (1986, 1993), the US Senior Open Championships 2003 & 2011 and, more recently, the US Junior Amateur 2019.

Tickets for the Solheim Cup 2021 are on sale now on solheimcupusa.com.

To read our last article on the Solheim Cup:

Céline Boutier, the rookie star of the 2019 Solheim Cup