Leona Maguire hits out at captain Pettersen after lack of Solheim Cup playing time

The Cavan golfer says it was a ‘bitter pill to swallow’

Europe's Leona Maguire hits from the 12th tee during a Solheim Cup golf tournament fourball match at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, in Gainesville, Va. (AP Photo/Matt York)

The Solheim Cup had not even finished before recriminations around the defeated European team began but Suzann Pettersen, the captain, appears unmoved by any criticism of her leadership.

Leona Maguire used the immediate aftermath of a singles win over Ally Ewing to take what was barely even a veiled swipe at Pettersen. Maguire, a star of Europe’s success in Toledo three years ago who was prominent again in Spain in 2023, featured in only one of four sessions before the Sunday singles. She labelled this a “bitter pill to swallow” and, while insisting she was a “team player”, appeared to question Pettersen’s judgment.