By Kent Gray
Much has been made of the Majlis being a big-hitters paradise during this week’s OMEGA Dubai Ladies Classic.

Laura Davies, among others, certainly agrees. “It is, yeah,” said the four-time major champion who finds herself with a decent shot at a 46th Ladies European Tour title after a moving day 66. “You can take corners on. Like the 1st, the big hitters can take the bunker on, no problem. The second is drivable today and the third is reachable in two. So yeah, this is a big hitter’s course, and it’s unusual for us to get one of them.”

In-Kyung Kim, who describes herself as an “average” length hitter, isn’t so sure the new Dallah will be decided by the big-bombers. Rather, the reigning British Open champion and 2009 winner in Dubai thinks it will come down to whoever wields their flat stick best.

“I think it’s not really a long hitter or short hitter’s course,” said the 29-year-old South Korean who matched Davies 66 to move up from 34th at the start of the third round into a share of sixth with the golfing Dame and into the mix, four back of Dutch pace-setter Anne Van Dam.

I think the green reading, trusting it, is tricky, but whoever trusts it [will win] I guess…

“It’s like how many putts drops, I think, [that] kind of course. Because [the greens] are not very slopey but there is a lot of grain. I’m not sure I played with the grain the last time I was here because I heard they changed the greens a few years ago. I think the green reading, trusting it, is tricky, but whoever trusts it, I guess [will win].”

A birdie-birdie finish, both tap ins, has given Kim hope for Saturday although she knows the late afternoon winds that whip
up around Emirates G.C. will be a factor.

“I think I had the privilege to play without the wind [on Friday]. You know, less hassle. It’s not impossible, but when it’s windy, the scores can be tricky.”

After rounds of 73-69-66, Kim is certainly trending in the right direction.

“I really had a lot of fun today and even yesterday I feel I’m getting better with the time change and all that so I look forward tomorrow. Hopefully I can have fun tomorrow.

“You know, that’s the goal [winning], but I just want to play well tomorrow and go home just to my family, see my family.” The Dallah wouldn’t be a bad home-coming gift.