Laura expects a low-scoring affair

Dubai: Laura Davies believes the Dubai Ladies Masters will be a low-scoring affair because of the high-quality field that has gathered at the Emirates Golf Club.

Defending champion Annika Sorenstam is back to retain the title she won at last year's inaugural tournament, while Davies is part of the opposition which includes Frenchwoman Gwladys Norcera, and the experienced Sophie Gustafson and youngsters Natalie Gulbis and Anna Rawson.

Davies said: "I would say it's [scoring] going to be low because you have a good standard of players in the field once again, but you just don't know.

"The greens are good and most of the players struggled on them last week, but I think this week the scoring will be really good because the overall conditions are better."

Sorenstam was a cut above the rest last year and won the tournament by a whopping six shots.

But the Swede has suffered a slump in form this season due to injuries, including ruptured discs in her neck, which saw her fail to win a tournament and relinquish her world No 1 ranking to Mexican Lorena Ochoa in April.

Hungry for win

And while Sorenstam, now ranked third in the world, will be hungry to finish the season with a victory, Davies feels her opponents will be eager to hunt her down once again. Davies has a whopping 40 wins to her name and admits she is keen to add the glittering DLM trophy to her cabinet.

"That was Annika playing really well," said Davies, in reference to the Swede's classy performance in 2006. "Obviously if Annika turns it on she could win by five, ten shots, who knows? But on the current form, I think it would have to be Sophie Gustafson, who'll be the favourite to win here.

"On form, I think if you can finish a shot ahead of Sophie on a course like this where you can cut some corners and reach some par fives, you can probably reach the 17th if the wind is right. If you're a shot ahead of Sophie I think you will probably win."

"Catriona Matthew dangerous too, she's very steady and hits it long and putts well, but the one I would like to sit on all week and then beat on the last few holes is Sophie."