The most successful golfer in the history of the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters is back to defend her title this week and believes she has found her best form at the right time. Below, see what Shanshan Feng had to say ahead of the tournament:
Victory by 12 shots
The Dubai Ladies Masters has proven to be something of a happy hunting ground for the Chinese golfer as she has won the event three times in the past four years, and was dominant 12 months ago as she retained her title with victory by 12 shots, comfortably the biggest margin that the tournament has ever been won by.
Pressure
Feng is back at Emirates Golf Club this week aiming to win it for a fourth time, and a third time in a row, but appearing at a news conference yesterday ahead of the start of the event tomorrow, she said: “I never set a goal that will really give myself a lot of pressure,” she said. “I mean, you know, going for top five, I feel quite comfortable doing it.”
Make a lot of birdies
As to why she has shone in the past in Dubai, she said: “The fairways are not super narrow, and the greens are actually quite flat. So it’s going to be a birdie challenge course, and I know what I’ve been doing well here was my ball-striking is always good ... So if my putting is working and reading the lines right, then I know I can make a lot of birdies.”
Bring out my A game
Feng added: “I just want to enjoy, enjoy here, because every time I love coming back to Dubai, I love the golf course and love how the tournament is set up ... You know, if I can bring out my A Game, then maybe I have a chance to break the record [of 21 under par for the event which she has achieved twice before]. But that’s not what I’m going to go for.”
Confidence
Feng acknowledged she had a slow start to the year, but her form had picked up since winning bronze in the women’s tournament at the Olympic Games in Rio. “I didn’t play very well but then I think the Olympics was a very good breakthrough point,” she said. “That actually picked up my confidence again, and learned that I’m still Shanshan.”
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