Reid wants to get back to winning ways

"We are definitely on a par with the American game. We've proved that at Loch Lomond. I don't think we have got anything to prove and we know we can compete with the best."

Reid, who has won 21 titles on the European Tour, believes the expanded Tour can only benefit Europe's Solheim Cup defence.

She said: "I'm pleasantly surprised by the new schedule. The prize money was more than I was expecting. Hopefully, the Solheim Cup success will get more people joining the tour."

Reid may have been the successful non-playing captain in the triumph at Loch Lomond, but she not finished playing and is eager to win her first European title since 1991.

She said: "I still haven't retired as a player myself. I was very unfortunate that I had a very bad time with a stomach operation last year and I only played five or six tournaments. I'm hoping to have a full year myself, go out there and play and take things as they come.

"I would never be a playing captain, but I would like to get in the team myself. I could still play. If I sort the putting out, who knows?"

Reid received a ringing endorsement from Ladies European Tour chief executive Tim Howland.

He said: "It was probably the easiest decision the board has ever made. "It was on the agenda of the board meeting but only took about 30 seconds and took Dale about half a second to accept."