Dubai: The winner of this year's Evian Masters in France, the gorgeous Natalie Gulbis is all set to make her presence felt in the Dubai Ladies Masters when she tees up in the Ladies European Tour season finale at the Emirates Golf Club on December 11.
The attractive 24-year-old Californian has become a corporate world dream girl in recent years, and is currently among the highest paid female golfers in the world, reportedly amassing $2-3 million in annual endorsements, and gracing magazine covers left, right and centre.
However, Gulbis is slowly but surely becoming more well known in the winner's circle, though it took the Californian a good six years on the LPGA Tour to register her first victory - and silence her critics who often dubbed her as the Anna Kournikova of women's golf.
Natalie Gulbis, who will make her first appearance in the Middle East, will join Annika Sorenstam and Laura Davies in a strong field with a major feel and a euro 500,000 purse up for grabs. The event is being promoted and organised by golf in DUBAI.
"There had been a lot of hype in America with people asking if I was ever going to win," said Gulbis, after her victory in the Evian Masters this summer, which got the tag of "best player not to have won" off her back and brought with it a very attractive euro 380,000 winners cheque to rival her million dollar smile.
"This is my sixth year on tour, and I have been waiting a long time for this day. I knew if I just remained patient it would eventually go my way. This feels great to have done it at last," said a relieved Gulbis, who is now looking forward to her maiden trip to Dubai and a season-ending victory to cap the year off in dramatic fashion.
Week of festivities
"It will be fun to play in Dubai and take in the entire week of festivities," said Gulbis, who was out of action for a month earlier this year with a back injury.
She worked on her swing and posture during the forced sabbatical and looks to have come back stronger than ever.
"All the work is paying off now," said Gulbis who has posted three top-10 finishes this season in 20 starts.
Commented Mohammad Bu Amim, vice-chairman and CEO of golf in DUBAI: "We are really delighted to have Natalie in the field. She is charismatic, she is skilful and her presence will certainly provide a big boost to the tournament."
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