2009 Henderson Money List leader Sophie Gustafson

Newly crowned European No.1 Sophie Gustafson has confirmed she will compete at the ANZ Ladies Masters for the first time in six years when she tees up at the RACV Royal Pines Resort in Queensland, Australia, from 4 - 7 March 2010.

The 36-year-old Swede, who enjoyed a successful year on both the Ladies European Tour (LET) and US LPGA, will certainly be a crowd pleaser at the tournament due to her big hitting and aggressive style of play.

In just four appearances on the LET in 2009, Gustafson collected €281,310.00 to edge out Scotland’s Catriona Matthew as the highest money earner on tour. By finishing on top of the Henderson Money List she was officially crowned the European No.1. It is the fourth time the Swede has finished on top in Europe.

Gustafson, who has won 13 times on the LET, finished runner-up twice in her four starts in 2009. She finished tied second in June at the AIB Ladies Irish Open and then lost in playoff Japan’s Ai Miyazato in the co-sanctioned Evian Masters in France.

She secured her fifth LPGA title in September when she carded a final round 68 to hold off World No. 1 Lorena Ochoa to win the CVS/pharmacy LPGA Challenge. Along with her win, she also posted another six top 10 finishes.

Anna Nordqvist

Gustafson finished the LPGA season 17th on the Money List with US$792,359.00 taking her LPGA career prize money to over $US5.3 million. She is currently ranked 18th on the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings.

The Swede will join the best field ever assembled at the Masters, including compatriot and World No. 6 Anna Nordqvist, who was the 2009 Ryder Cup Wales Rookie of the Year on the LET.

The international players will not have it their own way, with defending champion Katherine Hull of Queensland leading the Australian contingent. She will be supported by former World No. 1 and six times ANZ Ladies Masters champion Karrie Webb (World No. 13), Wendy Doolan, Karen Lunn (leading Australian on the 2009 LET) Nikki Campbell and 2009 ANZ Ladies Masters runner-up, Tamie Durdin.

The 21st ANZ Ladies Masters will be played at the RACV Royal Pines Resort on Queensland's Gold Coast from 4 to 7 March and will be broadcast by Network Ten and One HD on March 5 to 7. Tickets now on sale at all Ticketmaster outlets. ANZ Ladies Masters proudly supporting the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Further announcements regarding international player commitments will be made over the coming weeks.