Scotland's Catriona Matthew and Mhairi McKay begin an important fortnight in Europe at this week's Evian Masters in France - next week it is the final major of the year, the Ricoh Women's British Open at Sunningdale.

Matthew, who has had one second place this season, admits that she has yet to produce her best form over the Evian course that overlooks Lake Geneva and is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque stops on the women's Tour.

"I don't really know why, but I never quite seem to be able to put four good rounds together here," admitted the North Berwick golfer. "But maybe this year."

Originally the first reserve, McKay only got into the elite 90-strong field on Sunday when the already exempt South Korean Ji Young Oh won the State Farm Classic.

"It's great to be here," said McKay of a £1.7M tournament that has joined the US Women's Open as the richest in the women's game. "I've missed out the last couple of seasons and it's good to get to play this week before the British Open."

For two-time winner Annika Sorenstam, it is an Evian swansong. The 37-year-old has played every year since its inception in 1995 and has won it twice, in 2000 and 2002.

She has announced that she will retire at the end of the year, and yesterday she confirmed: "This will be my last Evian. "I've got five more months and about ten more tournaments," said the world No.2. "Next year, I'm definitely not playing any tournaments."