Dubai: Melissa Reid, who has Swedish rookie Caroline Hedwall breathing down her neck in a battle for the number two spot in the European Money List, does not want to put herself under undue pressure here over the next four days.
"I'm not really putting any pressure on myself. I'm quite aware of the money list, and Caroline winning last week [Indian Open] has definitely made it a battle this week, but I'm just here to win a golf tournament and to really focus on what I can control, which is my own game," the British golfer said.
The Omega Dubai Ladies Masters is the last event on the European women's Tour, and with Ai Miyazato already perched on top, the battle between Reid and Hedwall is one of the major talking points of this edition of the event.
Keen to maintain record
Reid, who has never finished below the top-10 ever since her first year here in 2008, seemed more keen on maintaining her record.
"Dubai has been very kind to me. I love the [Majlis] course there," said Reid.
Speaking at the pre-event media session yesterday, Reid said she had been camping in Dubai since last Tuesday and was also witness to Luke Donald scripting history at the Jumeirah Golf Estates on Sunday.
"I've been here since Tuesday working with my coach [Dave Ridley] at the course. So it's been good, just getting ready for the tournament. Like I said, it's one of my favourite tournaments of the year, so it's always nice to be back."
Commenting on the course, Reid offered: "It's playing tough.
"Obviously the field is stronger this year. The greens are fantastic, so, I mean it would probably be around 12-under."
Reflecting on the season, Reid said she was satisfied with the way it has gone for her so far.
"I've won a couple times this year, so I think if you win once in a year, you've had a good year," she said.
"I've played consistent this year, and my game's improving, and, you know, obviously Solheim Cup was fantastic this year, just to be there and to be leading the points list going into that.
"So I've reached a lot of my goals this year, so that's what I mean by there's no expectation this week, really. I've kind of achieved everything that I wanted to and now I know that I can't win the money list because I can't catch Ai [Miyazato].
"This week I can really just focus on my own game and really enjoy this tournament."
High hopes
Meanwhile, Reid also thinks she is on track with her plans to be the "best golfer" in the world one day.
"I feel like I'm growing up every year. I certainly feel that with me and my coach and my team around me, we're just kind of trying to do the right things all the time and, hopefully, one day that hard work will pay off and I will be, hopefully, world No 1.
"That's what we're all striving for here," she said.
Finally, what's her take on the men's game?
"I do like to watch the guys, Rory and stuff, the way they play golf.
"Obviously it's very different to the way we hit a golf ball with their power and their strength, but I just love watching golf."
