BANGALORE READY TO HOST INDIA'S BIGGEST
WOMEN'S TEE PARTY THIS WEEK

FROM THE KHALEEJ TIMES:
Bangalore’s picturesque Eagleton Resort is all ‘dressed up’ to host the biggest women’s tee party ever held in India when the inaugural EMAAR-MGF Ladies Masters gets under way on Wednesday.
Rubbing their hands in anticipation ahead of the Ladies European Tour event, the players have arrived for what promises to be an intriguing duel in the sun.
Among the first players to land in the city was Gwladys Nocera, the four-time European champion. She has been joined by veteran Laura Davies, Bettina Hauert, Trish Johnson, Becky Brewerton and Kiran Matharu amongst others in a strong field contesting for honours in the euro 200,000 event, promoted and organised by ‘golf in Dubai,’ at the Eagleton Resort.
Youngster Kiran will be keen to recover quickly from the setback of missing the fourth-round cut at the LPGA Tour Final Qualifying School at the weekend.
“I am really excited to be here. The course is in immaculate conditions and the local hospitality is second to none. I am sure all players will enjoy playing in front of the enthusiastic crowd,” said Nocera.
Though all players will be keen to leave their indelible imprints on the Eagleton Resort, Bettina, in particular, will be aiming for a strong finish to consolidate her lead in the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit table.
The German ace currently leads the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit with 216,998 Euros in earnings from 17 tournaments starts, closely followed by Sweden’s Sophie Gustafson who has raked in euros 214,756 from just six events she played this season.
Another Swede, Maria Hjorth, is placed third on the New Star Money List with 192,657 in earnings from six tournaments, just ahead of England’s Trish Johnson (189,467).
Bettina moved up the standings with resounding victories in the Finnair Masters and Ladies Swiss Open and further consolidated her position in the Order of Merit finishing runner-up in the Wales Ladies Championship and BMW Ladies Italian Open.
Sophie Gustafson, who is not playing in India, appears to be enjoying a stunning run of success. Of the six tournaments she played this season in the run up to the season-ending next week's Dubai Ladies Masters she has won the Ladies Scottish Open and finished runner-up in Scandinavian TPC, UNIQA Ladies Golf Open and Madrid Ladies Masters.
With both Bettina and Sophie in rich vein of form, the prognosis points to an exciting finish to the Order of Merit race, however Bettina played down all the hype surrounding their impeding battle.
“She (Sophie) is playing well, so am I. May the best player win the race,” said the 25-year-old Bettina.
“If you keep working hard, it will pay off; it’s paying off well in my case,” she added.
“It’s great to be back (in the race). I was leading it before so I’m just hoping I can keep it. I know Sophie is also up there. But I am not putting undue pressure on my game. The important thing is to keep playing well, which I am doing at the moment. Let’s see how things shape up,” she added.
“One thing is sure: I am going to enjoy the next two weeks immensely visiting two great cities in Bangalore and Dubai.”
Mohamed Buamaim, vice-chairman and CEO of golf in Dubai — the promoters and organisers of the EMAAR-MGF Ladies Masters and Dubai Ladies Masters said: “The Order of Merit race will be an added element of excitement for the followers of women’s golf – and there are many who will be keeping close tabs on the players’ performances.
There are three Scots in the field - Clare Queen (The Carrick at Cameron House) and Scotland international amateurs Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon) and Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle).