Previous winner Shanshan Feng targets strong finish in the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters
Shanshan Feng will be aiming to recreate the magic of her 2012 victory when she makes her third consecutive appearance on the trot in the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters to be held under the under patronage of HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, at Emirates Golf Club from December 10 to 13. China’s first and only player on the LPGA Tour, Feng received a timely boost ahead of the season-ending Ladies European Tour event when she won the LPGA Malaysia defeating Thailand’s Pornanong Phatlum, who incidentally is the 2013 Omega Dubai Ladies Masters champion and will be on hand to defend her title.
The healthy rivalry between the two Asian LPGA players, who bring special flair and exuberance to the game, will certainly be one of the high points of the event that will see a galaxy of superstars, led by England’s Laura Davies and rising star Charley Hull, battle it out for honours.
In a rich vein of form, having crossed the $1 million mark in earnings this year for the third time since joining the LPGA Tour in 2008, Feng, who is also a brand ambassador for Omega, will be a nailed-on favourite to win the event, but she prefers to keep her feet on the ground.
“I am not putting too much pressure on myself. Well, my goal is a top-five finish, just like last year and the year before. Of course, if I have a chance to do better, I will go for it,” said the 25-year-old, who won the 2012 Omega Dubai Ladies Masters title by an emphatic five-shot margin and followed it with a top-five finish last year.
“Of course, it will be a great fun to be back in Dubai, a city I like very much. I really enjoy playing on the Majlis course. I love the design. The idea is to bring out my A Games, play my best since this is the last tournament of the year for the LET and I am pretty sure all the top players will be there,” said Feng who boasts 12 victories since turning professional in 2007, including the LPGA Championship, a major title she won in 2012.
Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice chairman and CEO of golf in DUBAi, said: “Shanshan is an outstanding competitor, an icon whose achievement on the international circuit not only raised the profile of golf in China, but also women’s golf in general.
“The popularity of golf is highly correlated to the state of the economy. With China putting so much in the way of resources and energy into golf, I won’t be surprised if it becomes one of the strongest countries in golf in the near future.
“We look forward to welcoming Shanshan back in Dubai. Her presence will keep the tournament atmosphere buzzing. I also wish her a pleasant stay in Dubai.”
The Omega Dubai Ladies Masters is backed by OMEGA as the title sponsor and Emirates Global Aluminium PJSC as sponsor. The co-sponsors are: CNN, Drydocks World & Maritime World, Emirates NBD, Gulf News, Jebel Ali Resorts and Hotels, Mercedes and wasl, while Dubai Duty Free, Neocasa Interiors and Motivate Publishing are the Patrons in golf in DUBAi’s drive to showcase the emirate’s vibrant golfing scene to a worldwide audience.
