Koch to captain Europe in Solheim Cup

Sweden's Carin Koch has been appointed as European captain for the 2015 Solheim Cup in Germany, the Ladies European Tour announced Friday.

"I am extremely delighted and honoured to captain the 2015 Solheim Cup team," Koch said

LONDON, April 11, 2014 (AFP) - Koch will lead Europe as they bid for an unprecedented third straight victory over the United States at the Leon-Rot course, south of Heidelberg, from September 18-20 next year in the biennial women's team golf competition that mirrors the older men's Ryder Cup.

Koch was twice a winner as she played in four successive Solheim Cups from 2000 to 2005 and was also a vice-captain when Europe beat the US by a record 18-10 scoreline in Colorado last year.

The 43-year-old has already named fellow Swede and former world number one Annika Sorenstam, one of female golf's greatest players, as one of her vice-captains.

"I am extremely delighted and honoured to captain the 2015 Solheim Cup team," Koch said.

"Being vice-captain to Lotta (Liselotte Neumann) in 2013 I once again experienced the thrill of the Solheim Cup matches, which are unlike any other tournament in professional golf.

"I cannot wait to stand with the team on the first tee next September to start our quest for the hat-trick of wins against the US team.

"I look forward to working with the German team at Golf Club St Leon-Rot for the next year and a half to put on the best Solheim Cup ever."

As a player, Koch had an impressive personal Solheim Cup record of 10 wins, three defeats and three halved matches from he four appearances in the event and also sank the winning putt when she holed the match-clinching putt at Scotland's Loch Lomond course in 2000.

Ladies European Tour chief executive Ivan Khodabakhsh said: "We are delighted that Carin has accepted the invitation to lead the European Solheim Cup team as she is a fantastic representative of European golf and her passion and experience of the event will transfer to her being an excellent and inspiring captain.

Last month Juli Inkster, a nine-time Solheim Cup player, was confirmed as the United States captain for 2015.