Winning on the LPGA isn’t enough to guarantee Matilda Castren a spot – or even a chance really – on the European Solheim Cup team. Three weeks ago, Castren became the first player from Finland to win on the LPGA at the Mediheal Championship at Lake Merced.
On Sunday in Texas, the rookie Castren came close to edging out former No. 1 Jin Young Ko at the Volunteers of America Classic. Ranked 220th earlier this year, the former Florida State standout finished second at the VOA is now 59th in the world.
But, because she’s not a member of the Ladies European Tour, Castren will have to win an LPGA event that’s co-sanctioned with the LET in the coming months. She also is not eligible to receive a captain’s pick from European captain Catriona Matthew. So far, Castren is the only European player to win on the LPGA this season.
To help better her chances, Castren has signed up to play in the Grant Ladies Open in Finland after this week’s Marathon Classic in Toledo, Ohio. From there, she’ll head to Evian, where she has another chance. In all, Castren has four events coming up in which a victory would make her eligible for the team: Grant Ladies Open, Amundi Evian Championship, Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open and AIG Women’s British Open. (Sophia Popov is eligible for this year’s Solheim because she won the AIG.)
Castren, 26, said she competed in one LET event on a sponsor’s invitation before joining the tour, back home in Finland when she was around 14 years old.
If she doesn’t win one of those four events, Castren said she’ll do what it takes to be eligible for the 2023 Solheim Cup in Spain.
“I mean, I’ll definitely do (LET) Q-School the next time it comes around,” she said. “Solheim Cup is one of my biggest goals and biggest dreams, so I’ll do whatever I can to get in.”
Matilda Castren hoists the trophy during the final round of the LPGA Mediheal Championship at Lake Merced Golf Club in Daly City, California. (Photo: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)
In the meantime, Castren will represent her country at the Olympics in Tokyo next month.
Florida State coach Amy Bond first watched Castren compete around a decade ago at the European Team Championships. In addition to her impressive ball-striking, Bond was struck by the air of confidence Castren displayed.
“Nothing seemed to bother her too much,” said Bond.
And that part hasn’t changed.
Castren, who graduated in 2017, won a school-record seven times at Florida State and set a new mark for career-low scoring average. She once told Bond that she especially enjoys hitting a tough shot in front a crowd, exclaiming, “Hey coach, watch this!” when she’s about to pull off the improbable.
The oft-stoic Castren has a big heart, Bond says, and is great with kids. She matured during her time in college from being a strong leader on the course to off it, too.
Bond hopes Castren finds a way to play her way onto Matthew’s team at the Inverness Club September 4-6. The opening is narrow, but Castren relishes a good challenge.
“I was walking down the fairway (on Saturday) and I was just thinking like who would’ve known a couple years ago that I would be playing with these girls,” said Castren of being in the final group at the VOA with major champions Jeongeun Lee6 and Ko.
“It was really cool feeling. I’m really proud of myself of how far I’ve come.”