Golf: Cat wants perfect end to dream year

Published on Wednesday 9 December 2009 09:24

IT has already been an incredible year for Catriona Matthew, and there could be even more cause for celebration if she clinches the European No.1 title for a first time at this week's Dubai Ladies' Masters at the Emirates Club.

The North Berwick star became the first Scot to win a women's major at the Ricoh Women's British Open in August and she tees off this week at No.2 on the Ladies' European Tour Henderson Money List with 228,227.

Swede Sophie Gustafson leads with 248,092 with Wales' Becky Brewerton (198,611) and Norway's Marianne Skarpnord (183,024) also in touching distance, especially if they win this week's 68,143 top prize.

Matthew, who won a Scottish Sports Person of the Year Award at the weekend, has to finish in the top three to have a chance of overhauling Gustafson, but she is ready for the task.

"It has been an incredible year," admitted the 40-year-old, whose second daughter, Sophie, was just 11 weeks old when she won the British Open at Lytham. "I couldn't have dreamt that I would have won a major and ended up chasing the LET title here in Dubai. I also got to play in my fifth Solheim Cup which was also a great experience."

Catriona and husband Graeme – who is also her caddie – will just be back from Dubai in time to celebrate the birthday of older daughter, Katie. She will be three next week.

Another four Scots are in the field this week, and Musselburgh's Vikki Laing will be aiming to end her rookie season on a high note. The 28-year-old has comfortably kept her card – she starts this week at No.59 on the money list with 23,991 – and has had a couple of top 15 finishes.

Fifer Krystle Caithness has been the best of the Scottish rookies this year. She is at No.38 on the money list with 40,665 and made a big breakthrough last week by winning the Dubai Ladies' Pro-am. It was the 20-year-old's first professional victory.

"Last week was great preparation for the this week's Masters," said the St Regulus golfer. "It was played over the same Emirates course and gave me a lot of confidence. I'm really excited about the next four days."

The experienced pair of Lynn Kenny and Clare Queen complete the Scottish entry list but they have both had disappointing seasons. In fact, Queen, on her fourth year on Tour, is down at No.98 on the Henderson Money List with just 11,567 and is in danger of having to return to Tour School. Kenny is at No.78 with 15,591.

One of the highest profile tournaments on the LET, among the star attractions in Dubai this week is Michelle Wie, the 20-year-old superstar from the US who claimed her breakthrough professional victory on the LPGA Tour in Mexico in October.