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European Solheim Cup vice-captains named

Joanne Morley (left) Alison Nicholas (centre) Annika Sorenstam (right)
Joanne Morley (left) Alison Nicholas (centre) Annika Sorenstam (right)

Ladies European Tour members Annika Sorenstam and Joanne Morley have been selected as vice-captains for The 2011 European Solheim Cup Team by Captain Alison Nicholas.

Sorenstam, the event's all time leading points scorer with 24, played in eight straight Solheim Cup competitions from 1994-2007.

The former world number one won 89 tournaments around the globe before stepping away from competitive play at the end of 2008 to focus on business interests and start a family.

Morley, who was a vice-captain to Nicholas at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Illinois, in 2009, competed in The 1996 Solheim Cup and is a two-time Ladies European Tour winner.

'I am thrilled, humbled and honoured that Joanne and Annika have accepted my invitation to be my vice-captains for The 2011 Solheim Cup matches at Killeen Castle in Ireland,' said Nicholas.

'I am looking forward to working with them both over the next 15 to 16 months. Their combined Solheim Cup experience will be invaluable.

'Joanne's expertise working behind the scenes in two previous Solheim Cups and Annika's wealth of experience as the most successful female golfer of all time provides a strong, inspirational, passionate and unified team which will guide the European players to success in bringing The Cup back to Europe.'

Sorenstam, a winner of 10 major championships, holds a number of records in Solheim Cup competition.

In addition to earning the most points (24), she has won the most matches with 22 and scored the most points in foursomes with 11.5. She has also competed in 15 of the 19 foursomes matches played, tying for the most foursomes matches played with Laura Davies.

'I was a little quiet on the phone when Alison asked me because I was totally surprised,' said Sorenstam. 'She asked me and I said, "Could you give me 24 hours?" I knew my answer would be yes but I wanted to make sure I could live up to her expectations with my schedule and fulfil my role properly.'

“Joanne is a great character with a gift of encouragement to whomever she is with and gives her all in whatever she does. Annika is a born winner who thrives under pressure with a cool efficiency and passionate desire to win in whatever she undertakes. I am adopting the same strategy as last time in terms of having a vice-captain on both sides of the Atlantic.”

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