If her enthusiasm is the yardstick of success, Great Britain’s newest Dame, Laura Davies, will settle for nothing less than victory when she returns to compete 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.
A venerable performer in women’s golf since turning pro in 1985, Davies owns an incredible 84 titles worldwide, including a record 45 wins on the Ladies European Tour, but her appetite for glory remains ravenous even at the ripe old age of 51.
“Just because you get a bit older doesn’t mean you can’t still compete week-in, week-out. My enthusiasm is still right there,” said Davies ahead of the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters where she will be making her eighth consecutive appearance – and the first after being made a Dame in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List earlier this year.
“I remember what my last tournament win was, but I want to know what my next one is. I see myself playing golf for another five or six years, trying to win tournaments,” said Davies, the only player to have featured in 12 Solheim Cup events, helping the continent to wins in 1992, 2000, 2003 and 2011, totalling 25 points from 46 matches.
“Results wise, I’ve not played that well but playing-wise, I’m hitting it really well. Hopefully, I will be able to find the winning form and end the season on a high note,” said Davies, who boasts a string of top-10 finishes in Dubai, including a second in 2007.
Winning in Dubai remains a high priority for her. “I love Dubai, I love the tournament. There is always a lot of strength at the top of the field and a victory there would be special,” said Davies who will be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame at St Andrews on July 13, 2015.
“It’s a great honour to be part of the ‘golf in DUBAi’. They have done a tremendous job in raising the golfing profile of this brilliant city. They’re lovely people and look after us so well,” said Davies, who is also a ‘golf in DUBAi’ ambassador.
Commented Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice-chairman and CEO of golf in DUBAi:
“Laura is special and one whose popularity transcends her sport. The fact that she is still going strong despite being so many years on the tour shows she loves competing and loves mixing with the youngsters. We are fortunate to have such a phenomenal player as one of our ambassadors. People tend to believe that sportspersons wane with age, but she is setting new records every day and that speaks volumes for her awesome talent. We look forward to welcoming her to this year’s Omega Dubai Ladies Masters where she will be making her eighth appearance in a row. Indeed, a great honour for all of us at golf 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.
