Catriona Matthew’s Solheim tip

CATRIONA Matthew believes Archerfield Links, home of the Scottish Ladies Open, would be a suitable future venue for the Solheim Cup, which was worth €37 million in Ireland last year.

“I think it would be a great Solheim Cup venue,” said the former Women’s British Open champion of the East Lothian resort. “Both its courses are really good and the fact it has accommodation close to the courses makes it a perfect set-up.”

This year’s Ladies Scottish Open, on 3-5 May, will be the third staging of the event at Archerfield Links. “The players love the facilities. They think it is one of the best places we play,” added Matthew.

A study published yesterday has shown the Solheim Cup was worth €23m to County Meath, where last year’s Solheim Cup was staged at Killeen Castle, with another €14m of value arising from brand exposure.