Despite 12 Solheim Cup appearances, four-time Solheim Cup winner Dame Laura Davies never captained, and her reason may surprise you. There’s no doubt that the women's golf icon could’ve been a solid captain for the European team.

Davies appeared at 12 Solheim Cups, including the inaugural edition in 1990. The four-time major winner had seen it all but, to people’s wonder, never returned as a captain.

“When the time came that I maybe could have done it, I was still trying to play,” Davies told Bunkered. “But I just never really got excited about being the captain. The captaincy is the one role I’m not that bothered about.”

Although it wasn’t a conscious decision, the most successful Ladies European Tour player of all time had her focus on playing.

A captaincy role beckons, with off-course responsibility. Davies wanted to aid her team by playing, rather than as a captain.

Recently, the current European captain, Anna Nordqvist, called it quits on her playing career before the biennial event.

Davies was left surprised by the Swede's sudden retirement. However, she guessed the reason behind the move.

“Maybe Anna’s realised, having put so much into it, you do one or the other,” Davies added, as reported by Bunkered's Josh Lees. “Maybe she might be doing another one if things go well after this one.”

A player-captaincy duty would’ve asked a lot of Nordqvist. Now, she'll be able to entirely focus on leading the team.

As for Davies, she’ll be a part of the European Team locker room as a helper.

Davies praised Nordqvist for putting together a strong team.

Anna Nordqvist's rookie gamble

European Team’s four-time vice-captain Dame Laura Davies pointed out that Anna Nordqvist has pulled the strings quite well in her first stint as captain.

“I think she’s put together a really strong team,” Davies said in the same interview. “It is a really fun, energetic team with the youngsters. It always comes down to who plays best, and I think these girls will be really ready.”

Nordqvist made a bold move in her four captain’s picks, going for three rookies in Mimi Rhodes, Julia Lopez Ramirez and Nastasia Nadaud.

The European side comprises four rookies, including two-time LPGA winner Lottie Woad.

However, it also features experience in the form of LPGA star Charley Hull, who will be making her eighth Solheim Cup appearance.

As the youngsters display their quality and Hull brings forth the experience, Nordqvist will have to play a crucial role in leading if Team Europe hopes to reclaim the title at Bernadus.

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Written by

Avishek Sarkar