Clare Queen and Lynn Kenny carry Scotland’s hopes in the ANZ Ladies’ Masters in Australia, the opening event of the Ladies’ European Tour season.

Queen had a career best sixth place over the same Royal Pines course two years ago – and she was the top Scot in finishing 48th on last season’s Order of Merit. Now entering her fourth year on Tour, the Carrick 25-year-old is keen to make a bid for a first title.

Kenny regained her full card in style with a top three finish at last month’s Tour Qualifying School in Spain, and she is now showing a renewed confidence following her return to working with coach Kevin Craggs.

England’s Lisa Hall defends the title, while the field includes two of the game’s fastest rising stars in the Women’s British Open Champion from South Korea, Ji-Yai Shin, and fellow major winner, Yani Tseng. The Taiwan 20-year-old won the LPGA Championship last year and is now ranked No.2 in the world behind Lorena Ochoa.

Australia’s Karrie Webb, a former word No.1, is chasing a record seventh Masters title in her home Queensland State.