Rising teen star Sophie Lamb will join world number eight In-Kyung Kim among other top draws ensuring that the forthcoming Omega Dubai Ladies Classic has the ‘major’ presence of both the winner and low amateur of the 2017 Women’s British Open at Emirates Golf Club from December 6 to 9.
One of the most exciting prospects to emerge from England, Lamb turned heads when she won the Smyth Salver for the leading amateur at this year’s Women’s British Open at Kingsbarns Golf Links in Fife, Scotland, in a defining high mark of her still young, but impressive career that took off with her winning the British women’s stroke-play championship and the England Golf Women’s Order of Merit title in 2016.
The 19-year-old from East Lancashire will look to carry the winning momentum and good vibes from the major championship into Dubai, hoping to cap off a memorable season with another standout performance, one that gives wings to her career.
“I think winning the amateur medal in a major event was a huge moment for me. It is something everyone dreams of when they first start to play golf. It’s been a great experience for me to see where my game compares to the best in the world. It’s been good,” said Sophie ahead of the season-ending Ladies European Tour event, promoted and organised by Golf in Dubai.
“When you have confidence in yourself you feel like you can do just about anything, but I don’t want to get ahead of myself and will take things as they come. It will be fun playing in Dubai as I have heard a lot of good things about the tournament and know pretty well that it attracts a very strong field each year.
“I am grateful to Golf in Dubai for the invitation and look forward to visiting the magnificent city and playing on the famed Majlis course, Hopefully, there’ll be some more good times to come,” said Sophie, who has no immediate plans to turn professional.
“My immediate goal is the Curtis Cup. That’s something I want to achieve before I turn professional. Not sure how things will pan out, but definitely the Curtis Cup is something I want to do,” said Sophie, who was England’s top scorer in the mixed international against Spain for the Seve Ballesteros Trophy earlier this year, winning all her games.
A biennial competition between top female amateur golfers from the United States and Great Britain and Ireland, the 2018 Curtis Cup will be will be held at Quaker Ridge Golf Club in Scarsdale, New York, from June 8-10.
Commented Peter Dawson, chairman of the Omega Dubai Ladies Classic: “We are delighted to welcome Sophie to Dubai. She is one of the finest young talents to emerge in women’s golf and has already achieved great success during her amateur career.
“Her achievements since winning the North of England under-14 championships amply show she has enormous potential. This is just the beginning, and I am sure we will see more of her in time to come. I wish her the very best,” he added.
“It will be interesting to see how Sophie and In-Kyung fare during the tournament. Can they repeat their Women’s British Open heroics? The question has a fascinating appeal to it, one that will figure prominently in discussions as we approach the tournament.”
