Davies calls for rise in prize money Published on Saturday 5 May 2012 02:18 TWENTY years after spearheading Europe's first Solheim Cup success at Dalmahoy, Laura Davies is back on the title trail in the Lothians after moving into contention for today's final round of the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open at Archerfield Links. Three players - Scotland's Carly Booth, Florentyna Parker of England and South African Stacy Lee Bregman - emerged as co-leaders on three-under 141 at the end of a bitterly cold day at the Dirleton venue, but Davies, a former world No 1, is lurking ominously just three off the pace as the 48-year-old bids to chalk up a milestone 80th career win worldwide. Of those triumphs, 45 have come on the Ladies European Tour yet her career winnings on that circuit, which she joined in 1985, is a rather paltry e3.9 million. Compare that to the e24.4 earned by Colin Montgomerie on the European Tour, where he's won 31 times, and it's understandable she has some gripes. For instance, this season's LET may boast 25 tournaments - ten more than 2004 - around the world, but Davies, for one, would prefer to see quality rather than quantity when it comes to a playing schedule. "Event-wise we've got lots, but the prize-money is never big enough," said the English player, the pot up for grabs in East Lothian this week being £183,000, which is around the average on the circuit. "There's not enough girls can make money in any given week, that's the problem," added Davies. When we start getting better prize-money, then the girls will start to make a really good living. It must be hard for younger girls coming out right now. We've got lots of tournaments, but a lot are around the e200,000-mark and, if all those were e400,000, the Tour would be as healthy as it's ever been. According to Davies, the recent shock announcement that Spaniard Alexandra Armas is stepping down as the LET's executive director at the end of this year may be an opportunity rather than the perceived blow to the circuit. "Maybe Alex took it as far as she felt she could and maybe someone can come in and maybe get us the same amount of tournaments at slightly higher money - that would be the ultimate goal," she added. Scotland has been a happy hunting ground for Davies - a passionate Liverpool fan who will be hoping for a double celebration today as they take on Chelsea in the FA Cup final - during her glittering career. She was also on a winning Solheim Cup side at Loch Lomond in 2002, the year after she beat home hope Janice Moodie in the final of the WPGA International Matchplay at Gleneagles - her second success at the Perthshire venue after also winning the McDonald's WPGA Championship of Europe two years earlier. "The Solheim Cup at Dalmahoy was the single greatest moment of my career, probably up until Ireland a few months ago," said Davies in reference to Europe's dramatic triumph in last year's match at Killeen Castle, where she took over from Annika Sorenstam as the event's all-time points record holder. Playing in the event at this venue for the first time - she was over competing on the LPGA Tour in the US when it was staged in August for the past two years - Davies, who bagged four birdies as she signed for a second-round 70, is building up a head of steam after a sluggish start. "I was a bit ropey on the front nine on Thursday, but I've played very well for a day and a half," she said. Her partner in the amateur team event is Darren Gough, the former England cricketer. Playing with them in the same group yesterday was Brendan Cole, of Strictly Come Dancing fame. He treated the spectators to an impromtu handstand after making a birdie at the 15th. "He's in the early days of his golf, but has the potential to be quite good," reported Davies.