Rawson eager to bounce back after last year's disappointment at the Dubai showpiece

Dubai: Australian sensation Anna Rawson believes staying aggressive is the key for her to do well at the Dubai Ladies Masters.

Rawson missed the cut last year and blamed a swing change as the reason for her "terrible" show. But having consigned that heartbreak to the past, she is brimming with confidence and raring to go, claiming she has been looking forward to the event since her premature exit of 2006.

The Ladies European Tour event tees off at the Emirates Golf Club tomorrow and Rawson said: "Well, I've been thinking about the tournament since the last time. I've been thinking about what I can do to play better and win and am trying to recall all that I learned that week.

Poor last outing

"I missed the cut last year because I feel I was playing terribly. It was the middle of the season and I had a swing change two weeks before coming to Dubai. I was probably hitting the ball as badly as I could, but that's why I decided to come back. When you haven't played for that long on the Tour, you don't have much experience to draw from, but I have never stopped believing in myself."

Rawson is currently placed 29th on the LET Order of Merit and desperate to get a win under her belt to climb up the rankings.

"I haven't sat down to set myself goals, but I definitely want to win. It's great to go out there and make money, but it's all about winning and being competitive and I am feeling much better about my game and the way it has improved.

"I think I'm playing at 90 per cent of my potential, but what I really need to do is get aggressive. I find it hard to play the first couple of rounds because nothing is on the line, but when it comes to Sunday, I love it!

"I think I perform better under pressure; it sort of drives me on. Pressure is hard as always, but I like knowing what I have to shoot and go out and shoot it rather than when I'm cruising."

Former world No 1 and defending champion Annika Sorenstam is part of the glitzy line-up, but Rawson says she is unfazed by the Swede's presence. In fact, she plans to exploit her much fancied opponent's slump in form in Dubai.

"There is a very good field vying for the title. Annika's there too, but she's not what she was last year."

Former world No 1 and defending champion Annika Sorenstam is part of the glitzy line-up, but Rawson says she is unfazed by the Swede's presence. In fact, she plans to exploit her slump in form...