England’s Melissa Reid returning to play in the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters in December

England’s Melissa Reid tees it up at the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters next month, confident of posting a strong finish which will guarantee her at least a second place on the Ladies European Tour’s Money List.

The willowy blonde from Derbyshire flirted with success last year before settling for a solo third, but since then her game has matured and she feels “a sense of calmness” heading into the season-ending event, starting on December 14 at the Emirates Golf Club.

“I have played all right this season despite suffering from a virus for four to five weeks early in the season,” said Reid, who is placed second on the Money List, a position helped by her wins in the Dutch Open and the Spanish Open.

“My swing feels a lot better and I feel very calm about my game and there is a little bit more self belief,” said the 24-year-old who has never finished outside top-10 since making her first appearance in Dubai in 2008.

“Dubai has been very kind to me. I love the (Majlis) course there. It’s very exciting and I just love playing it,” said Reid, who rates the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters as one of her favourite tournaments.

“The tournament is quite professionally run, and the players are treated very well. The hospitality, the food … everything is just superb. I am really looking forward to visiting the city again,” said Reid who will join a star-studded field headed by Michelle Wie and ‘golf in DUBAi’ ambassador Laura Davies.

Since turning pro on December 19, 2007, the ‘New British hope’ has been climbing the ladder of success with honour. Named ‘rookie of the year in 2008, Reid is a already a three-time winner on the Ladies European Tour and, recently, her growing profile went up a notch when she played her part to perfection in guiding Europe to a thrilling victory over the US in the Solheim Cup.

“I want to be the best British golfer that’s ever lived, and I want to be the best golfer that’s ever lived as well, so I’m pretty ambitious really, which is good,” said Reid who was voted one of the 50 Hottest Female Golfers of all time.

Pairing with Davies, arguably the greatest British female golfer, she defeated Brittany Lang and Michelle Wie 4 and 3 in a fourball match that also saw Davies overtake Annika Sorenstam to become all-time Solheim Cup points scorer with 24.5 at Killeen Castle.

“Melissa is fiercely driven and not afraid to set targets for herself,” commented Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice chairman and CEO of golf in DUBAi – the promoters and organizers of the euro 500,000 (Dh 2.5 million) event.

“As long as she keeps doing the right things constantly, I am sure she going to win lots of tournaments. Her presence will certainly add to the quality of the field. I wish her all the best.”

‘golf in DUBAi‘ is backed by Omega as the title sponsor and Dubal (Dubai Aluminium) as the sponsor. The co-sponsors are: CNN, Gulf News, Emirates NBD, Mercedes-Benz, Jumeirah and wasl while Dubai Duty Free, Carpetland and Motivate are the Patrons in golf in DUBAi’s drive to showcase the emirate’s vibrant golfing scene to a worldwide audience.