For many, Laura Davies is viewed as an obvious and natural choice to captain Europe’s Solheim Cup team. As one of the most decorated golfers in the history of the sport, Davies is seen as a lock to eventually be skipper, much in the same way as Tiger Woods is perceived as a guarantee to be the United States’ Ryder Cup captain one day.
But for Coventry-born Davies, taking on the role of Solheim Cup captain is not something which features particularly prominently, if at all, on her bucket list.
Pettersen to captain Europe again in 2024
Davies has recently completed her third stint as an assistant captain after being part of Suzann Pettersen’s team for the thrilling tie with the USA which saw Europe retain the Solheim Cup. Pettersen is already confirmed as captain for the 2024 Solheim Cup on American soil, for which it is expected that Europe will again be slight underdogs, especially away from home. Those betting on golf will see that it is similarly an almost neck and neck situation in the Ryder Cup, though this time with the United States the marginal underdogs for an outright victory at 11/10, while Luke Donald’s Europe team are the even-money favourites to win.
Looking forward to Finca 2023 thanks for bringing me along for the ride Captain #Teameurope#SolheimCup pic.twitter.com/rso9m8S2pk
— Laura Davies (@lauradaviesgolf) August 16, 2022
When the Solheim Cup returns to European soil in the Netherlands in 2026, Davies, who has been Europe’s leading points scorer in three editions, will likely be put forward for the captain’s job. But would she step up into the role?
Few golfers have the same pedigree or experience as Davies, who was the only player to feature in the first 12 Solheim Cups following the competition’s inception in 1990. She also holds the record for most points scored in the Solheim Cup, with 25 accrued. Allied to that, Davies has been on the winning team four times.
On a more individual level, Davies pushed the boundaries for what was possible for women’s golf. She won the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit in the year she turned professional in 1985, topping that list a further six times in her career.
She has won four majors, 87 professional tour events in total and even finished runner-up on the LPGA Tour at the age of 55 in 2018. With the exception of one year, Davies also won a tournament every year from 1985 to 2010.
Watching this on repeat 🔥@lauradaviesgolf has this for eagle. pic.twitter.com/ve1C7SjuYz
— LPGA (@LPGA) August 11, 2022
Reservations about being skipper
Her longevity has been one of the factors behind why she has not so far taken on the role of Solheim Cup captain as she has held on to the prospect of getting on to the team in a playing capacity. But Davies has also expressed reservations about whether she has the time or inclination to take on the captain’s role.
As she prepares to scale back her playing commitments and targets one more Women’s Open appearance at St Andrews in 2024, it seems likely the clamour for Davies to succeed Pettersen as skipper will grow.
But having been undefeated as an assistant captain for the past three Solheim Cups, firstly with Catriona Matthew and then with Pettersen, it may be that Davies’ vast experience and knowledge can be best put to use by being part of the backroom team rather than being front and centre.
