(DUBAI, Nov 19, 2009) — Anna Nordqvist, who became an instant celebrity after winning a major in her rookie season, will provide a glimpse of her precocious talent when the new Swedish sensation makes her first appearance in the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters, starting at the Emirates Golf Club from December 7 to 12.

The icy-cool blonde stunned a heavy-duty field, winning the 2009 LPGA Championship in only her fifth start on the circuit. This achievement led to her selection as a captain’s pick for The 2009 Solheim Cup where she scored two points for the European team.

Nordqvist, now ranked 12th in the world, is well on course to securing the Ladies European Tour’s Ryder Cup Wales Rookie of the Year Award, given to the leading first year player.

“The Solheim Cup is going to be the highlight of the year and what I remember the most: the atmosphere and everything,” Nordqvist said.

“I enjoyed meeting people and it was fun visiting different places on the tour. It’s been a great journey,” said the 22-year-old, who won last year's British Amateur and Ladies European Tour Qualifying School tournaments. At Arizona State University she was also named US College Freshman of the Year.

Looking ahead, she said: “I’ll keep working hard with my coaches. I’m very happy playing a lot in the States because it’s very competitive and makes you want to improve. ” At Bulle Rock Nordqvist smoked the field to become the fourth Swede to win a major.

“You can’t control winning; it would be great to win again but I’m just going to keep working hard to improve parts of my game,” said Nordqvist ahead of the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters where she will join a star-studded field led by US superstar Michelle Wie and all of the leading Ladies European Tour players.

“I think the Ladies European Tour is growing better and better. It’s getting tougher and tougher. You’re really going to have to play well to be successful,” said Nordqvist, who leads the LET ‘Rookie of the Year’ race with euro 80, 790 in earnings, ahead of Florentyna Parker of England (euro 59,740) and Netherland’s Christel Boeljon (euro 48,890).

“Success doesn’t happen by accident. Anna’s rise to fame amply shows that the infrastructure in Sweden in terms of junior and youth is tremendous,” said Mohamed Juma Buamam, vice-chairman and CEO of golf in DUBAi — the promoters and organisers of the euro 500,000 event.

“It’s good to see some great talent emerging from a country that has produced players of the calibre of Annika Sorenstam,” he added,

“It’s too early to compare Anna with Annika, but the early prognosis does show this 22-year-old has the game and the temperament to dominate the game in line with a great Swedish golf tradition. We look forward to welcoming her to the Majlis course where Annika has already left indelible imprints with back-to-back victories in the first two editions of the event.”

'golf in DUBAi' is backed by Omega as the title sponsor and Dubal (Dubai Aluminium) as the sponsor while BMW, CNN, Emirates Airline, Emirates NBD, Gulf News, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Jumeirah Hotels, MasterCard and wasl are co-sponsors in its drive to showcase the emirate's vibrant golfing scene to a worldwide audience.