NORTH Berwick golf star Catriona Matthew will take part in this year's Solheim Cup, after being called up to replace the injured Suzann Pettersen. 

Matthew, 47, was appointed one of captain Annika Sorenstam's vice-captain's last month, but will now be a playing member of the squad for the event - the female equivalent of the Ryder Cup - which begins tomorrow (Friday). 

Norwegian Pettersen pulled out yesterday (Wednesday) morning, after suffering a back injury.

Matthew was delighted to be involved. She said: "I had the inkling that this could have happened since I got here so I've been preparing a little bit.

"It's nice to know finally that I'm in."

The event takes place at the Des Moines Country Club in Iowa from 18-20 August.

This year's event, at Des Moines Country Club in Iowa, will be Matthew's ninth Solheim Cup since her 1998 debut, and has earned 19 points from 33 matches to date.

The North Berwick resident, an Olympian last summer (pictured below in Rio by David Davies/PA) was part of three winning Solheim Cup efforts - in 2003, 2011 and 2013.

East Lothian Courier:

Matthew holed the winning put in 2003, while she also won the half point needed to win the cup in Colorado four years ago. 

After an 11th-hour call-up, Matthew said she would need to "refocus", and added: "It's fortunate that I've played in so many [Solheim] Cups before and I know what to expect.

"I played the course yesterday, normally the reserve or the vice-captain doesn't get to do this."

Europe captain Sorenstam, who also confirmed Pettersen would replace Matthew as vice-captain, said: "Catriona is a proven Solheim Cup performer who will be able to step right in and play with anybody. She's ready to go."