"I'm mentally very exhausted" - Anna Nordqvist opens up about her struggles as she takes on Solheim Cup duties

Anna Nordqvist is set to make her ninth Solheim Cup appearance at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Virginia. She will also be making her second start as a playing assistant captain. Team Europe is captained by Suzann Pettersen at the tournament spanning from September 12 to 15.

The Swedish golf star has had a very rough year so far, with six cuts missed in 17 events, while battling personal issues. She said she is "very exhausted", in an interview leading up to the team event.

Opening up about the struggles that she has had to endure over the past year, Nordqvist said (via Golf Monthly):

"The last year and a half has been very tough and it's been possibly too much for me to handle. Even though I'm doing a lot better than I have been, it's all been taking a big toll on me and I'm mentally very exhausted. They say time heals a lot of things, but it's been trying to go back to competing, trying to rebuild my life on and off the course. I think I just need to accept that it's gonna take me some more time."

The 37-year-old went through grueling divorce proceedings with her husband, Kevin McAlpine, in August 2023. McAlpine suddenly passed away in October while the golfer was competing at the BMW Ladies Championship in South Korea.

The LPGA Tour added in her interview that she dreams of being a captain herself one day and feels that the role of an assistant is prepping her well for what the future has in store for her.

Nordqvist made history at last year's edition of the event as the first-ever assistant captain to also play on the course.

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Anna Nordvist on Solheim Cup atmosphere

The Robert Trent Jones Golf Club will be hosting the 19th edition of the Solheim Cup. The prestigious course has played host to the Presidents Cup four times. The Gainesville course features plenty of challenging holes, along with tricky par-threes and water hazards that will push players.

Anna Nordqvist has expressed her excitement at playing on the course. She said she was looking forward to the fans coming out in support.

Nordqvist said (via Golf Monthly):

"t’s a great golf course. There are some really cool par-3s, lots of water and holes framed by trees.

Having been on a winning team in the US twice now, there’s no better feeling and we’ll show up as prepared as we can be. I believe the match is sold out, so we can expect hundreds of people - the atmosphere will be amazing."

She added that having members of her family watch on at last year's Solheim Cup in Spain was a highlight for her.