Great Britain’s Charley Hull is looking forward to teeing off a pivotal season when she makes her tournament debut at this week’s Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Open at Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Beach Golf Club.

The 22-year-old will be joined by the likes of Jodi Ewart Shadoff, defending champion Aditi Ashok and Anne Van Dam during the third edition. Under the new format, 56 professional golfers will join forces with 56 amateurs to form team pairings from Thursday-Saturday – with an individual title also up for grabs.

For Hull, she returns to action after a 2018 that featured a career-best three top-10 major finishes and begins a 2019 that should contain a fourth Solheim Cup appearance.

“I think I am very close,” the world No24 replied when asked about what must change for her to land the sport’s grandest prizes. “I had three top-10s at the majors, plus a second, a third and another sixth at another event.

“I was in the top 20, regularly. I was very consistent.

“I hit a lot of greens in regulations, so it’s just about tidying up my putting. I’ve worked very hard this pre-season, so I feel confident.”

Hull became the youngest competitor to participate in the Solheim, aged 17, when Europe emerged victorious in 2013. The United States have, however, claimed the last two editions.

This is a state of play the Kettering native wants to correct at Gleneagles from September 13-15.

She said: “It’s going to be in the UK this year, so I think it’s going to be a lot of fun.

“Obviously, it being on my home turf makes it more fun – and it’s easier to travel to.”

After a solid pre-season back home, Hull is embracing a pleasant start to the Ladies European Tour.

She said: “I am looking forward to this week. I think it is going to be a lot of fun and a good way to start the season, with a bit of sunshine.”