Leading Indian golfers Smriti Mehra and Shalini Malik have been invited to take part in the Ladies European Tour season-ending Dubai Ladies Masters next week.

The promoters and organisers of the euro 500,000 event, 'golf in DUBAI', have invited the top two Indian players to join an elite field led by defending champion Annika Sorenstam.

Simi, who won four of the five legs on the Indian Tour, was excited on hearing the sponsor's invite. "I'm really excited. I never imagined I would be playing back-to-back Ladies European Tour events. It's simply great," said an elated Simi.

‘Recognition’
"I think the sponsors' invitation to Shalini and myself is in recognition of the giant strides made by Indian pros on the international circuit. We will try and give our to best to keep the Tri-colour flying," said the 35-year-old, the only Indian to have played on the mother of all Tours - the LGPA.

Shalini, second on the Merit List, was equally excited about competing in the Dubai Ladies Masters and rubbing shoulders with the likes of Sorenstam, Laura Davies, Natalie Gulbis, Anna Rawson, Bettina Hauert and Sophie Gustafason among others. "It's a fabulous opportunity. I just can't wait to go and play in Dubai," said Shalini. "Hopefully, I would have overcome my nerves by then," she added.

Playing on the Ladies European Tour for the first time, the nervy Shalini shot rounds of 86 and 80 in the on-going Emaar-MGF Ladies Masters at the Eagleton Golf Resort. "European Tour is a different ballgame altogether. “I think it will be a memorable experience to play in the company of some of the world's best players," added Shalini.