The 20-year-old is expected to electrify the tournament when she joins an already talented field from Europe in what promises to be an intense Desert Duel.The Hawaiian is the latest superstar to sign up for the Masters which, since its inception in 2006, has showcased players of calibre and reputation of Annika Sorenstam, Laura Davies, Karrie Webb, Gwaldys Nocera, Sophie Gustafason and Natalia Gulbis, making it the most popular women’s golf event on 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, in a press release.

“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. “Her presence will certainly bring star value to the event, but the reputation of the Dubai Ladies Masters is built on the collective presence of the players. And we are very pleased to know it has once again attracted a strong field.

“All 108 players in the field are capable of winning the event on their day, but certainly fans will also be keen to follow the progress of seasoned stars such as Laura Davies, Sophie Gustafson, Gwladys Nocera, defending champion Anja Monke and new Swedish sensation Anna Nordqvist, who will formally seal her ‘Rookie of the Year’ award in Dubai.

“I am very excited about making my first trip to Dubai and playing in the Masters,” said Wie. “I have heard so many great things about Dubai as a city, but also about the golf, 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, turned professional in October 2005, and has been building an impressive resume in golf since a young age. At 10, she became the youngest player to qualify for the USGA Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship in 2000 and qualified for an LPGA event when she was 12.

A year later, she became the youngest to make a cut. She played in the men’s Sony Open when she was 14. Now 20 years old, Wie is proving successful both on and off the golf course.