Davies confident

Fresh from victory in the Australian Open on Monday, Britain's Laura Davies is high on confidence going into the opening event of the LPGA season in America, the Welch's/Fry's Championship in Tucson, Arizona.

It is almost three years since the 40-year-old last won in the US, but she said: "I played really well in all three events in Australia with the win and two top 10s and I hope it marks the start of a good season.

"My driving's fine and my short game is as good as it has ever been. That makes a big difference when the pressure is on."

Davies is one of nine British players in the £440,000 event and the list includes Karen Stupples, who opened her year by finishing second to world number one Annika Sorenstam in the Australia Ladies' Masters two weeks ago.

With Sorenstam delaying her US season until Phoenix next week, world number two Se Ri Pak, from South Korea, is the favourite, while Australia's Wendy Doolan is the defending champion.