Ricoh Women’s British Open winner Catriona Matthew described her MBE award in the New Year Honours List as "the icing on the cake" following a sensational 2009 season.

Matthew, 40, created one of the stories of the summer when she won the Ricoh British Open at Royal Lytham 11 weeks after giving birth to her second daughter, and only a week after being forced to escape from a hotel fire during the Evian Masters.

"This is a wonderful surprise and a fantastic end to what has been a very special year in so many ways," Matthew said in a statement. "Having had Sophie in May, I never envisaged winning a major golf championship this year. The reaction to it and the recognition I have had has been amazing, and I'm very grateful to everyone for their support. The MBE really is the icing on the cake."

The four-time Solheim Cup player is highly regarded by her fellow professionals, having been voted as the 2009 Players’ Player of the Year in December on the Ladies European Tour. The LET praised her efforts in a statement, which read: "Catriona has always been a wonderful ambassador for the game of golf but she shot to prominence in 2009 as one of the UK's finest sporting talents with her sensational victory at the Ricoh British Open.

"In recognition of her achievements, the Ladies European Tour membership recently voted her as the Players' Player of the Year and clearly she thoroughly deserves this honour. Her conduct on and off the course is exemplary and in sport there can be no greater role model."

Edinburgh-born Matthew, won her first LET title at the 1998 McDonald's WPGA Championship of Europe and secured her sixth professional victory at the Ricoh Women’s British Open in August 2009.