Catriona Matthew on a high for US tests

WITH two top 10s behind her already this year, Catriona Matthew is heading into a two-week stint in America feeling quietly confident about a campaign that will definitely include an appearance in the Ladies' Scottish Open and, she hopes, a sixth Solheim Cup.

The 41-year-old, who finished eighth in both the Honda PGA Thailand and the HSBC Women's Champions in February, tees it up in the Kia Classic starting today before staying on in California for the opening major of the season, next week's Kraft Nabisco Championship.

"This week (at Pacific Palms) is a new course for us but I've played well in the past at Rancho Mirage, including a third-place finish there," noted Matthew, who believes her two encouraging displays in the Far East were the result of some swing changes made with coach Kevin Craggs.

"I think it was a case of being work in progress last year but it then clicked in my first two events this season," added the North Berwick woman, who, in common with all the other players he works with, is a fan of the way Craggs gets his message across. Matthew, who also believes she is benefitting from a new fitness regime she decided was necessary to stop her from feeling tired towards the end of tournaments, is delighted she can play in the Ladies' Scottish Open at Archerfield Links, her home base, this year.

Last year's inaugural event at the East Lothian venue clashed with one of the bigger tournaments on the LPGA Tour, but this time it fits nicely into Matthew's schedule, which also includes the Ricoh Women's British Open at Carnoustie in July. "I know from having played there in a Scottish Ladies' Championship in the early 90s just how tough it can be," observed the 2009 winner. "One day that week was really windy and, if my memory serves me right, I think I was the only player who broke 80 that day. It all depends on the wind and, of course, the rough."

Matthew is well aware that strong peformances in events like the Kraft Nabisco and the Women's British Open will enhance her chances of another Solheim Cup appearance at Killeen Castle in Co Meath in late September. "I'd definitely like to play in that again. Indeed, that is my main target this year and, if I can achieve that by getting a win along the way, that would be great," she said.