Rookies key to destiny of 18th Solheim Cup

Leona Maguire. Picture: Brian Arthur

Leona Maguire has been described as Europe's "silent assassin" in their bid for a historic Solheim Cup hat-trick in Spain this week.

As skippers Suzann Pettersen and Stacy Lewis prepare to announce the pairings for tomorrow's opening foursomes at the opening ceremony at 545 pm Irish time this evening, Denmark's Emily Kristine Pedersen was full of praise for the Co Cavan star.

The Dane played the front nine at hot and hilly Finca Cortesin alongside Maguire with Charley Hull and Anna Nordqvist and made it clear that the Irish star is one of the stalwarts of the tea.

"She's kind of like a silent assassin," Pedersen said of Maguire, who won four and a half points from five as a rookie in Europe's shock win in Ohio two years ago.

"Like, she's very calm and steady, but then she's -- like, last year, I think she was the MVP of the team. She made a lot of points, played a lot of matches. She's obviously super steady, and I think she will do great again."

She added: "I think she holed out, like, two or three times today on a chip, so that's pretty good to see."

Sagstrom has known the Ballyconnell battler since their amateur days and she reckons Maguire is the player no American wants to face.

"I've known her for a long time growing up," Sagstrom said. "We've played a lot of junior golf together. You wouldn't want to meet her in match play, so I think nobody wants to meet her this week."

Europe has just three rookies to five for the USA, but veteran Nordqvist, who has played with Maguire for the past two days, explained that lack of experience was no impediment to the Irish star on her debut.

"Just because you're a rookie doesn't mean that you can't play well," the two-time Major winner said. "We all saw Leona Maguire absolutely kill it in 2021, the way she played."

Nordqvist is making her ninth Solheim Cup appearance and she's clearly impressed by Maguire, who skipper Pettersen described yesterday as a "feisty" competitor" you would like to keep on the course at all times.

"Amazing player," Nordqvist said. "I mean, she's as competitive as he gets. And you know, you can see she thrives under pressure. And, you know, those are the moments she played the best.

"I played a few rounds with her the last couple days and I enjoyed being around her because she's so professional about everything she does. She's patient, she loves competing and she loves the Solheim."

As for the expectations on Maguire's shoulders, Nordqvist had no concerns.

"You can play a match, and you can play really well when someone plays better than you," she said. "What she did in '21 was amazing, but I don't think it should add any extra pressure or expectations.

"You go into every match trying to put your best foot forward and trying to get a point for Europe. We're all just trying to do our best and get half a point more than the US by the end of the week."