Feng bids to continue fine Dubai form

DUBAI: China’s world number four Shanshan Feng will look to extend her domination in the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters, the season-ending championship of the Ladies European Tour, when she seeks a fourth title in last five years.

Feng is the highest ranked player in the field, which also boasts of two-time major champion Suzann Pettersen of Norway and England’s Charley Hull, a winner on the LPGA Tour a fortnight ago.

However, the thrill of a season-ending championship will be slightly diminished this year, with both Order of Merit and Rookie of the Year awards already decided.

American Beth Allen, who won back-to-back titles in France and Abu Dhabi, leads the Order of Merit with earnings of 311,391 euros and her lead at the top is insurmountable in the half million euro tournament that offers a winning cheque of 75,000 euros. India’s 18-year-old Aditi Ashok, who is having a sensational season, is placed second in the Order of Merit, having won her last two tournaments - the Indian Open and the Qatar Open.

Both Allen and Aditi were expected to reach Dubai late on Tuesday for the tournament starting Wednesday, as they participated in the final stage of the LPGA Tour Qualifying School in Florida that finished on Sunday.

Allen finished inside the top-20 and secured a category 12 card for next year, while Ashok was tied 23rd and will have a category 17 status.

Feng won the bronze medal in the Rio Olympic Games, and thereafter, she hasn’t finished outside the top-10 in her last seven starts.

Feng said she was keeping her goals modest, as she does at every tournament.

“Top-five. It’s like I said earlier, I never set a goal that will really put me under a lot of pressure. Going for a top-five is something I feel quite comfortable doing it, so I think that’s maybe my goal right now,” she said.