Dubai Ladies Masters revives French flair

Dubai: Gwladys Nocera will add a distinct French flavour to the Dubai Ladies Masters when the Ladies' European Tour event gets under way at the Emirates Golf Club from October 26-29.

"I can tell you that I am in," said the 30-year-old. "This event sounds really fun and I am already excited to play it."

The French ace will join world No 1 Annika Sorenstam and Australia's Karrie Webb in the impressive cast for the Euro 500,000 event, the first to be held in the Middle East. Nocera has already made a big impact on this season's Ladies European Tour by winning three tournaments — The Swiss Open, The Italian Open and the Catalonia Ladies Masters.

Top gun

Currently second on the LET Order Merit, behind England's Laura Davies, she has been hailed as one of the top guns of women's golf, although she hates the very sight of a shotgun. The French player survived a serious shooting accident when she was accidentally shot in the stomach 14 years ago. "I still don't like to hear shot guns - it sends shivers down my body - and I don't like to see guns either," Nocera said on the Golf Today website.

"I'm just happy to be alive and able to play golf. I'm not a survivor. I'm just lucky. I must have been born under a lucky star.

"Let's hope that luck is present when she makes her debut in the Dubai Ladies Masters," said Mohammad Ali Al Abbar, chairman of golf in DUBAI, promoters and organisers of the event.

"No wonder the French are playing better and better and I think exploits and guts of players like Nocera have inspired a generation of young players.

"We are confident that the presence of players like Gwladys will not only add to the profile of our tournament, but also help generate interest among local woman golfers."