Ex-captain Alfredsson quite happy to be playing again for Team Europe
All Helen Alfredsson has to focus on this week in the Solheim Cup is playing golf.
Unlike two years ago, her job description does not include team psychologist/mom/big sister/coach/counselor.
In 2007, Alfredsson captained Europe at Halmstad in her native Sweden. The first captain to later requalify for the team, the likeable 44-year-old will be playing in her eighth Solheim Cup this week at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove.
"It's much easier (being a player)," Alfredsson said with a smile Tuesday. "I don't have to go and get anything for anybody, which is nice. I don't have to worry about anybody but myself, and since we are so selfish, it's much easier."
Her response drew laughs from the media. While it remains to be seen whether Alfredsson brought her "A" game to Rich Harvest Farms, she definitely brought her sense of humor.
She showed that again when a female reporter later made reference to the "oldies" on the team (Europe also boasts 45-year-old Laura Davies and 39-year-old Catriona Matthew) and the possibility of them having to play five matches.
"We are stronger than you think," Alfredsson said. "Age is just a number, dear."
Team Underdog: Suzann Pettersen is well aware that she and her European teammates are not favored to beat the Americans this week in the match play tourney. That's OK, though.
"We're the true underdogs, but I still think we have the best team," said Pettersen, a 28-year-old Norwegian who is playing in her fifth Solheim Cup. "A lot of people over here don't really know all of our players, which I think could be a good thing. But they're actually playing very good, all of them.
"We've got to put the pedal down right out of the gates, but I think we're ready to do that once Friday comes."
Wie weighs in on Yang: Michelle Wie understands the importance of Y.E. Yang winning the PGA Championship last Sunday.
Yang, from South Korea, became the first Asian-born player to win a major.
Wie's parents are natives of the Republic of Korea.
"I think it was great," said the 20-year-old Wie, who'll be playing in her first Solheim Cup. "I was really pulling for him. I played a practice round with him back in Japan, and I just thought he was the nicest guy and a really great player."
Tickets: Solheim Cup tickets are still available, but only at the gate and no longer online. Cost is $25 for practice rounds today and Thursday. Tickets for Friday, Saturday and Sunday are $50. Gates open daily at 7:30 a.m. Parking is $5.
Junior Solheim: Down the road at Aurora Country Club, Team USA captured an early lead after the first round of the PING Junior Solheim competition. The U.S. team, coached by Nancy Lopez, won four of six four-ball matches in the morning, and then won three of five foursome matches with one tie to score 7.5 points to Europe's 4.5 points on the day.
The tournament, which features the top 12 amateurs from the United States and Europe, concludes Wednesday with singles matches.