Stupples has improved every season during her six years on the LPGA Tour

The British Open champion aims to improve on her sixth-spot in the world rankings and is targeting a place in Europe's Solheim Cup team.

"I want to do even better than last year," said the 31-year-old.

"It's going to very hard, but it is possible. Starting out again this year feels like a fresh start," she said.

Next week, she will be chasing a second major title - the Kraft Nabisco Championship - to set alongside the crown she won at Sunningdale last August.

I've been working on a slight change of grip and that is always a horrible adjustment Karen Stupples

But this week the priority is to prove to herself that a winter of hard work can and will pay dividends.

"I've been working on a slight change of grip and that is always a horrible adjustment," she admitted.

"And I've also being doing a lot of work in the gym which I think will help both my distance and my stamina."

Britain's former world number one Laura Davies, in her 18th season on the LPGA Tour, also has plenty of incentive.

She finished 36th - her lowest ranking since 1992 - on the 2004 money list and in this event last year she was in with a real shout of victory until she ran up a nine at the last in the final round.

Catriona Matthew and Janice Moodie are the two leading Scots on the tour, while Wales' Becky Morgan, who had two seconds and a third last year, goes into the season hoping for a first professional victory.

Annika Sorenstam, the world number one from Sweden, is the defending champion.

The field also includes 15-year-old amateur American Michelle Wie, who tied for second playing alongside the profesionals in the SBS Open in Hawaii last month.