Suzann Pettersen says Europe can be Queens of the Castle at Killeen

Just a few weeks ago, Suzann Pettersen, Azahara Munoz and Melissa Reid filled the top three places at the AIB Irish Ladies’ Open at Killeen Castle. The trio are aiming to grind out the same success for Europe in the Solheim Cup.Pettersen, the world No.2 and Europe’s top player, won the title by six shots.

“But then it was all about me. This week it’s all about the team” said the Norwegian as she looked ahead to her sixth Solheim.“But it is a great advantage that so many of us know the course and have played well here. It means we’ve been able to play nine holes or so and then rest up a bit and recharge the batteries.“The Americans are rushing around trying to get to know about the layout and the conditions. It’s a long week so I think our experience of Killeen Castle is a help.”Pettersen has only once tasted Solheim and that hurts the 30-year-old who is one of the sport’s fiercest competitors. “This is my sixth match and we’ve won one (at Barseback in 2003),” she ruefully reminisced. “But when we’ve lost it’s been so close. “I think the key this week is that we have to play really well on Friday and Saturday and be ahead going into the singles. We’ve lost by such small margins, just a US putt going in here or there. “We have to believe in ourselves and get that little bit of luck. We also have to get the crowd going. They could be our 15th club in the bag. But yes, I believe we can win.”Munoz is good friends with Pettersen and she has a win in the 2009 Madrid Masters to set alongside a wealth of experience and a string of high finishes on the LPGA Tour.“I’m so excited to be here,” she said. “Suzann has given me a lot of good advice, as have other players such as Catriona Matthew. I have family and friends coming over to watch so I just hope I can make a good contribution.”