Gustafson hopes to cap year with Dubai crown

Dubai: Sophie Gustafson will be aiming for a strong finish in the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters to cap an excellent year with the European Player of the Year title when the season-ending Ladies European Tour event gets under way at the Emirates Golf Club from December 7 to 12.

The long-hitting Swede currently leads the Money List with 273,615 euros (Dh1.45 million) in earnings from just three tournaments she played on the LET circuit this season.

Snapping at her heels are Scotland's Catriona Matthew (251,271 euros) and Becky Brewerton of Wales (218,696 euros).

If recent form is any indication, the 35-year-old Gustafson stands a good chance of adding the third Order of Merit title to her rich cache of achievements, having reached the milestone in 2000, 2003 and 2007.

"I'm very excited to be in this position. I'm coming to Dubai to try and win the Money List again and I can't wait. It's going to be a blast," said Gustafason, who finished runner-up at this year's Ladies Irish Open and Evian Masters.

"It will be nice to wind up the season on a strong note; but for that to happen I will have to be on top of my game in Dubai," said Gustafson ahead of the 500,000-euro event, which also features American pin up Michelle Wie, defending champion AnjaMonke, Laura Davies and British Open champion Catriona Matthew among other big stars.

"With such a strong field on show, it will be fun to play in Dubai," said Gustafson, who boasts 23 career victories, including five on the LPGA Tour, since turning a pro in 1992.

The talented Swede won the CVS/Pharmacy LPGA Challenge, picking up her fifth career win and the first since the 2003 Samsung World Championship.

Great event

The Swede ended the tournament with a tournament record of 20-under-par 268 score, and shut out the World's top-ranked player, Lorena Ochoa, who finished runner-up.

"I think the Dubai Ladies Masters is a great event. We are playing a fantastic golf course and being able to come to Dubai in December is very nice," said Gustafson, a regular member of the European Solheim Cup team since 1998.

Mohammad Juma Buamaim, vice-chairman and CEO of ‘golf in DUBAi', — promoters and organisers of the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters — said: "Sophie has been a great supporter of our tournament since day one. It's good to see she playing some of her best golf again, one that's been quite impressive.

"It would be interesting to see how she wraps up the race for the Player of the Year... I wish her and all other players coming to Dubai a very pleasant stay."