Known as “one of the fiercest competitors the sport has ever seen,” Norwegian golf legend Suzann Pettersen sits down with WHEREVER to reflect on her extraordinary career, her unforgettable Solheim Cup moments, and what drives her today.

What drew you to golf growing up in Norway, and when did you realize you could play at a professional level?

Growing up in Oslo, I was always outdoors and active. Golf wasn’t the most obvious choice in Norway, but I fell in love with the individuality of the game. It was just me, the ball, and the course. By my early teens, when I started winning national events and representing Norway, I realized I had the potential to take it further.

Who were your role models in the early stages of your career?

My parents were my biggest supporters—they gave me the freedom to pursue golf seriously and believed in me. On the golfing side, Annika Sörenstam was the ultimate role model for me as a Scandinavian player. 

“ Golf wasn’t the most obvious choice in Norway, but I fell in love with the individuality of the game.”

Looking back, what would you say was a defining moment of your professional career?

One defining moment was my putt to win the 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles. It wasn’t just about the putt, it was about my journey, the battles, the comebacks. That moment defined everything I had worked for and, in many ways, became the perfect closing chapter of my career.

Any advice for aspiring young golfers?

Work hard, stay patient, and enjoy the game. Don’t rush success, it comes when preparation meets opportunity. Also, embrace the grind. The tough days teach you the most.

What did winning major championships mean to you, both personally and professionally?

Winning two major championships validated years of hard work and sacrifice. Professionally, it put me on the map as one of the best in the world. To be a major champion is something no one can take away from you.

How did you prepare mentally before tournaments, especially at the highest level? Any tips or strategies to perform under pressure?

Mental preparation was always huge for me. I would visualize shots, visualize scenarios, and prepare myself for pressure situations. My advice: control what you can, block out the noise, and let your training take over.

What were the toughest and the most rewarding part of being the team Solheim Cup captain?

The Solheim Cup was the heartbeat of my career. The toughest part as captain was balancing emotions. You want to play, you want to be out there, but your role shifts to guiding and supporting. The most rewarding part was watching the players rise to the occasion, bringing out their best for each other and for Europe. 

“I feel very grounded in my Norwegian roots, but I also value what I’ve learned living abroad.”

Since you started until now, how do you think women’s golf has evolved the most?

The athleticism, the depth, and the global reach have all grown massively. When I started, there were a few dominant players. Now, anyone in the field can win on any given week, this year alone the LPGA has had no repeat winners. The standard is so much higher, and that’s fantastic for the women’s game.

How has your life and relationship with golf changed since stepping away from full-time competition?

I still love golf, but my priorities are family and projects I’m passionate about, like VOXA. It’s rewarding to support players and the sport from a different angle, helping to grow opportunities for women’s golf globally. We’ve signed a young French player, Adela Cernousek, who won the NCAA Individual Championship. I truly believe she can be the next big star in France and helping guide that journey is just as fulfilling to me as anything I did on the course. 

What do you hope golf fans will remember most about you as a golfer and a person?

I hope people remember me as fearless, passionate, and someone who gave 100% to everything whether that is teeing it up on tour or to now building VOXA. Golf shaped me, but it doesn’t fully define me; it’s the commitment, drive, and belief in pushing the game forward that I want to be remembered for.

Any favourite courses or destinations?
You cannot beat the heritage of St. Andrews, it’s an amazing course. In terms of the U.S. it would have to be Oakmont, I just love the test it gives you. Nowadays as a family I enjoy Spain and being in the Sotogrande area, where I can also now practice my game at my academy I have opened at Los Altos. 

Where are you now based and what challenges/advantages did you experience being away from ‘home’?

I am based back in Norway now with my family. I did split a lot of my time between Norway and the U.S during my career. Being away from home was tough at times—you miss family, traditions, but it also broadened my perspective.