02-Aug-2012 Norway’s Suzann Pettersen will begin her defence of the Ladies Irish Open supported by Fáilte Ireland at Killeen Castle on Friday.
The tournament is sure to rekindle some fond memories from last year’s Irish Open, but also of Europe’s dramatic Solheim Cup victory over the United States at the same venue in September, in which Pettersen played a key role.
Only 11 months ago, Pettersen earned her second Irish title after blitzing the field with rounds of 71, 63 and 64 for a total of 198, 18 under par. A little over a month later she made her sixth appearance in The Solheim Cup and helped steer the European Team to victory by making birdie on the last three holes to earn a one-hole victory in her singles match against Michelle Wie.
“It feels like I’ve been here a lot the last year: first the Irish, now the Solheim and then the Irish again all within 12 months. It obviously feels great coming back to this place,” said Pettersen, the World No.6. “I wasn’t sure I wanted to get to see it so quickly again because the memories are so great but I want to defend my title.”
She prepared by relaxing at London 2012. “I watched tennis all day yesterday. It was fantastic. I watched Roger Federer, Djokovic, Hewitt, Andy Murray and then we walked around and watched a little bit of everyone playing on different courts. We watched beach volley the night before which was a great atmosphere.”
She said that she felt inspired by watching the Olympics and hopes to compete when golf returns to the Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
“It can’t come around soon enough, it feels like. The first time it’s going to be back is for the Youth Olympics in 2014 in China I think, so that’s the first time you’re going to see golf in the pre-Olympics, trials and so on. It will be fun. It’s back where it belongs.”