Michelle Wie to play in Omega Dubai Ladies Masters next month

FROM THE LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
Michelle Wie, one of the brightest stars in the world of women’s golf, will headline a stellar field in the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters.
The Ladies European Tour’s end of season event will be played at the Emirates Golf Club from December 7 to 12, 2009.
After a tremendously successful rookie season on the LPGA Tour, which also saw her play a key role in the US team’s Solheim Cup victory, the 20-year-old Wie is expected to electrify the tournament when she joins an already talented field from Europe in what promises to be an intense Desert Duel.
Named in a 2006 Time magazine article as “one of 100 people who shape our world,” the Hawaiian is the latest superstar to sign up for the Dubai Ladies Masters which, since its inception in 2006, has showcased players of calibre and reputation such Annika Sorenstam, Laura Davies, Karrie Webb, Gwladys Nocera, Sophie Gustafson and Natalie Gulbis, making it the most popular ladies golf event of Dubai’s sporting calendar.
“We are really delighted to have Michelle in the field. She is charismatic, she is skilful and her presence will certainly provide a big boost to the tournament,” said Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice-chairman and CEO of golf in Dubai — the promoters and organisers of the euro 500,000 tournament.
“Michelle Wie may be just 20, but it appears that she has been around for a long time and has done wonders to raise the profile of women's golf. The amount of hard work she puts in every day to improve her game and fitness shows she is determined to realise her dream and is on the brink of mega-star status,” said Buamaim, who also welcomed Omega on board as title sponsors of the golf in Dubai events, which also includes the Dubai Desert Classic.
“I am very excited about making my first trip to Dubai and playing in the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters,” said Wie. “I have heard so many great things about Dubai as a city, but also about the golf here, and I’m looking forward to experiencing it for myself.
"This season was a very rewarding one for me, both on the golf course and off, and I’d love nothing more than to wrap this year up with a strong showing at the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters. I have such great respect for the players on the Ladies European Tour, and was able to develop close friendships with many of them in my first Solheim Cup experience, so it will be a great week.”
Wie, ranked 15 in the world women's pro ratings, turned professional in October 2005, and has been building an impressive resume in golf since a young age.