GOLF:SWEDEN'S Liselotte Neumann, who has won 27 tournaments worldwide including the 1988 US Women's Open, was announced yesterday as European captain for the 2013 Solheim Cup.

A veteran of six Solheim Cups as a player, Neumann takes over from Britain’s Alison Nicholas who led the Europeans last year at Killeen Castle in Dunsany, Ireland, where they beat the United States 15-13.

“I am extremely happy and honoured to have been selected as the European Solheim Cup captain in 2013,” said the 45-year-old at Mission Hills Country Club on the eve of this week’s Kraft Nabisco Championship. “This event has always been very special for women’s golf and it brings back wonderful memories. I look forward to the challenge of defending the title on US soil.”