AIG Women’s Open: Anna Nordqvist keen to focus on own major play and discusses challenges balancing Team Europe role | Golf News

Solheim Cup captain Anna Nordqvist wants to keep focus on her AIG Women’s Open performance after ruling herself out of being a playing captain for Team Europe.

Nordqvist will name her four Solheim Cup captain’s picks on Monday afternoon, live on Sky Sports News, once the eight automatic qualifiers are confirmed after the conclusion of the final women’s major of the year.

The Swede was the highest-performing European at the Amundi Evian Championship earlier this month – finishing tied-seventh – and claimed a share of 28th at last week’s ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open, while still juggling Solheim Cup preparations.

Nordqvist confirmed on social media ahead of the AIG Women’s Open that she would not pick herself as a player, then explained her decision – and the challenges she has faced in recent weeks – after an opening-round 73 at Royal Lytham & St Annes.

“There’s just so much speculation [over picks] and people saying ‘you said this’ and ‘you said that’, which is probably expected,” Nordqvist told Sky Sports. “Everyone’s excited and I get it, but everyone also wants to know [who is getting picked].

“I obviously know what I’m doing and I’m trying my best to also play. On a week like this, major championships are draining. I felt pretty shattered out there today [first round], which is obviously not a great place to be.

“I try to do my work and then get out of here, because everyone wants a piece of you and everyone wants a piece of you with regards to the Solheim Cup. After the round Sunday, after my tournament is done, then I can do all those things.”

She added: “My mind is absolutely shattered because there’s so many questions about it [Solheim Cup], so much talk about it. There’s a lot of commitments I have to do, on top of my own sponsor commitments this week.

“I have a lot of conversations but right now I’m just trying to focus on my own game and playing this week, then the rest will take care of itself.”

‘You can’t leave it up to one week!’ – Nordqvist explains challenge to earn picks

The top two players in the European Solheim Cup points list and the next six available via the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings after this week’s major earn automatic spots, with anyone else relying on a captain’s pick.

Chiara Tamburlini and Helen Briem are the among the players battling for the second spot via the Ladies European Tour ranking, while several players can still break into the automatic places with a big week and significant move up the world rankings.

Nordqvist was among Alison Nicholas’ captain’s picks for her Solheim Cup debut in 2009 and needed to be picked for the last of her nine Team Europe appearances in 2024, leaving her aware of the pressure that many face over the coming days.

“The only way to control your destiny is to make it off the rankings – you can’t really leave it up to just one week,” Nordqvist insisted. “If you’re looking at it as a player, where it’s only one week that matters, then you’re putting a lot of pressure on yourself!

“It’s a two-year period, so there’s a lot of factors, but obviously if someone has a good week – given it’s a major – you can move up. Whoever has been playing pretty solid for the two years, you would think they’re up there with the rankings and have put themselves in a good position.

“We obviously have a spot on the Ladies European Tour ranking where Helen Briem and Chiara Tamburlini are within one point, but you’ve got to finish top 20 to get points and a few things can happen there.

“A few people can potentially move up there but, other than that, you [as players] try your best and at the end of the week you see where you are.”

Who will win the AIG Women’s Open? Watch throughout the week live on Sky Sports Golf. Early coverage continues Friday from 9am on Sky Sports Golf, ahead of full coverage from 1pm. Get Sky Sports or stream golf and more with no contract.