The National - News

Lee aims to shine when ladies stars descend for Dubai Moonlight Classic

- JOHN McAULEY

Lydia Ko, Minjee Lee, Georgia Hall and Charley Hull will headline the Omega Dubai Moonlight Classic next month.

The tournament, taking place under the lights on the Faldo Course at Emirates Golf Club, will run from November 4-6, with 56 players vying for their share of the $ 285,000 prize fund. The event will be staged without spectators and is to be held in a “safe environmen­t”, organisers said on Thursday.

Australian Minjee Lee, the world No 6, has been in fine form since golf returned following its pause during the global pandemic, reeling off three top-four finishes in five starts. In 2014, she finished tied-11th in Dubai.

“It will be great being back in Dubai competing again and this will be my first time playing under the floodlight­s with the backdrop of the night-time Dubai skyline, which I am sure will be an incredible experience,” Minjee Lee said.

“I just can’t wait to get out under the lights come November and try something new. Having previously secured a top-20 finish in Dubai before, hopefully my game will be able to adapt to the conditions and my performanc­e will give me a chance to compete.”

Meanwhile, the former world No 1 Ko will seek to continue her return to form on her Dubai debut. The two- time major champion, 23, finished tied-second at the Marathon Classic in Ohio in August.

Englishwom­an Hall could be the woman to beat, though, with the 2018 Women’s Open champion registerin­g three victories already this season.

Hall secured back- to- back triumphs at the Rose Ladies Series in July to top the inaugural competitio­n’s overall standings, while she also secured a play-off win at last month’s LPGA Cambia Portland Classic.

“The prospect of being back out in Dubai where I first played in 2014 as a teenager is an exciting one,” Hall said.

“I’m looking forward to finishing off the season in style and playing under the floodlight­s for the first time will be something new for my game to have to adapt to. It’s incredibly exciting for the players and we are very grateful that we have the opportunit­y to safely compete together once again.”

Compatriot Hull has tasted success in the Middle East, winning last year’s Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Open at Saadiyat Beach Club in Abu Dhabi. A former Rookie of the Year on the Ladies European Tour, she finished runner-up to Hall in the Rose Ladies Series.

Formerly known as the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters – the inaugural event was played in 2006 – the tournament switched from May to November last year. It was the world’s first profession­al day- night tour event.

The November 4-6 event, to be held under lights at Emirates Golf Club, will have 56 players vying for the $285,000 prize fund

 ??  ?? World No 6 Minjee Lee has confirmed her participat­ion
World No 6 Minjee Lee has confirmed her participat­ion

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Arab Emirates