Dubai: Beth Allen has already wrapped up this season’s Ladies European Tour Order of Merit so it doesn’t really matter where she finishes at the season-ending Omega Dubai Ladies Masters.
However, the 35-year-old American’s only hope is that Shanshan Feng doesn’t win this tournament and finish on more money than her.
Shanshan is currently on just over €250,000 (Dh970,322) from two top five finishes including one win from three appearances in Europe this season.
The 27-year-old Chinese hasn’t played in enough events to qualify for the Order of Merit money-list, as you need to play a minimum of six events and this is only her fourth in Europe this season.
However, if Shanshan wins in Dubai — where she has won three times in the past four years — she will overtake Allen in earnings by picking up €75,000 in winnings this week.
And Allen, who is on just over €310,000 from eight top 10 finishes, including six top fives, and two wins in 15 appearances this season, doesn’t want that to happen.
“Of course I would have liked to have played better,” said Allen, who added 77 to an opening 71 to stand four over par for the tournament on Friday, having just survived the cut.
“I didn’t have a good day today but I haven’t had many bad days this year and sometimes that just happens.”
She agreed it didn’t really matter, but added: “I do still feel some pressure because I want to win the money-list properly. I know that Shanshan hasn’t played in enough events to qualify, but I want to make more money than her.
“I don’t want to just do it [because she doesn’t qualify] it’s great either way, but for me, I want to make more money than her.”
The threat from Shanshan still exists despite a slow start. She added 70 to an opening 72 on Friday to sit two under for the tournament just five strokes off the lead.
“I know we only have one day left and I may be far behind,” said Shanshan. “But tomorrow is going to be pretty windy and I normally like playing in the wind, so maybe that’s going to give me a better chance.”
