Sydney’s inclement weather could result in a British invasion at the women’s NSW Open, with Melissa Reid and Laura Davies champing at the bit to hit the heavy Oatlands course.

Heavy downpours on Wednesday dumped more than 13mm in the Parramatta area, slowing the course and maximising the benefits of being a heavy-hitter like former world No.1 Davies.

But it is 24-year-old Reid who really feels she can use the wind and rain to her advantage.

“This is what I play in day in, day out at home,” the English star told AAP ahead of the event which starts on Friday.

“I’m used to playing in the rain and that might be a slight advantage as well.

“Obviously the longer players have a bit of an advantage when it’s wet and the balls not going as far, so Laura’s definitely going to be a strong contender this week.

“Watch out for the Brits, definitely.”

Reid is coming off a standout season in which she won the Dutch and Spanish Opens, leading to finishing second on the European Tour money list.

Her aim is to land some even bigger results in 2012, including gaining her LPGA card, but she’d like to start it off with a win or two in Australia.

Reid admits her involvement in the NSW Open is mostly as a warm-up event, with the aim of blowing out the cobwebs ahead of next week’s Ladies Masters on the Gold Coast and then the Australian Open.

“Looking forward, hopefully this will be an even better year,” she said.

“A win or two in the next few weeks would be a very nice way to start the year.”

Davies meanwhile admits she is coming off a horror season in which she didn’t have a single top-10 finish, but believes it is only a matter of time before it all comes together again.

“I know last year was a massive blip on my career, it was a poor year, but you’ve got to put that behind you,” she said.

“You’re only as good as your next week in my opinion. You can’t keep looking back, good or bad.”

The 48-year-old saw encouraging signs in last week’s Canberra Ladies Classic and plans to take advantage of the heavy course in Sydney.

“The heavy conditions are better for me because I fly the ball a lot further than the others,” she said.

“I don’t need the run, so that will help me.”

The strong field will be playing for $125,000 in prizemoney, with Australians Katherine Hull, Kristie Smith, Sarah Kemp and Frances Bondad all expected to feature prominently on the leaderboard.

Last year’s runner-up, 14-year-old New Zealand amateur Lydia Ko, will also line up to go one better.