Carin Koch to lead Europe in Solheim Cup

Carin Koch has been appointed as European captain for the 2015 Solheim Cup, the Ladies European Tour has announced.

The Swede will lead the continental team as they bid to achieve an unprecedented third straight victory over the United States at Leon-Rot in Germany.

Koch was twice a winner as she played in four successive Solheim Cups from 2000 to 2005 and was also a vice-captain as Europe beat the US by a record 18-10 scoreline in Colorado last year.

One of the 43-year-old's first decisions has been to name former world number one and compatriot Annika Sorenstam as one of her vice-captains.

Koch said: “I am extremely delighted and honoured to captain the 2015 Solheim Cup team.

“Being vice-captain to Lotta (Liselotte Neumann) in 2013 I once again experienced the thrill of the Solheim Cup matches, which are unlike any other tournament in professional golf.

“I cannot wait to stand with the team on the first tee next September to start our quest for the hat-trick of wins against the US team.

“I look forward to working with the German team at Golf Club St Leon-Rot for the next year and a half to put on the best Solheim Cup ever.”

Koch boasts a strong 10-3-3 win-loss-draw record from her four appearances as a player and her proudest moment came when she holed the match-clinching putt at Loch Lomond in 2000.

Additionally, she has also won three international tournaments during her career.

Her opposite number for the contest will be Juli Inkster, who was confirmed as American captain last month.

Ladies European Tour chief executive Ivan Khodabakhsh said: "We are delighted that Carin has accepted the invitation to lead the European Solheim Cup team as she is a fantastic representative of European golf and her passion and experience of the event will transfer to her being an excellent and inspiring captain."

Koch’s friend and former team-mate Sorenstam will also bring considerable experience to her role having won 89 times in her career, including 10 major victories.

She played in eight Solheim Cups and was also vice-captain in the last two victories.