Kiran Matharu
Encyclopedia
Kiran Matharu (born 27 February 1989 in Leeds
, England
) is a professional female English
professional golfer
currently playing on the Ladies European Tour
.
of Punjabi origin, Matharu was a member of the Nick Faldo
Series development programme and 2004 and 2005 Faldo Series Girls' Champion. She received an invite to play in her first Ladies European Tour
tournament at the 2005 Open De España Femenino
, the year she was Welsh Ladies' Strokeplay Championship runner-up. 2006 saw her represent Great Britain and Ireland in the Curtis Cup
after winning the English Ladies Amateur title. She was named Sony Entertainment Asia 2006 Female Junior Sports Personality of the Year for the second successive year.
was denied by Carolyn Bivens
, the new commissioner, but Matharu finished tied 3rd at the 2006 Ladies European Tour qualifying school to earn exempt status for the 2007 season. At age 18 in 2007, she was able to participate in LPGA qualifying school without special approval. She missed the cut after the fourth round in the final qualifying tournament and did not receive LPGA membership for 2008.
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
) is a professional female English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
professional golfer
Professional golfer
In golf the distinction between amateurs and professionals is rigorously maintained. An amateur who breaches the rules of amateur status may lose his or her amateur status. A golfer who has lost his or her amateur status may not play in amateur competitions until amateur status has been reinstated;...
currently playing on the Ladies European Tour
Ladies European Tour
The Ladies European Tour is a professional golf tour for women which was founded in 1979. It is based in England. Like many UK-based sports organisations it is a company limited by guarantee, a legal structure which enables it to focus on maximising returns to its members through prize money,...
.
Amateur career
A SikhSikh
A Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
of Punjabi origin, Matharu was a member of the Nick Faldo
Nick Faldo
Sir Nicholas Alexander "Nick" Faldo, MBE is an English professional golfer on the European Tour who now mainly works as an on air golf analyst. Over his career, he has won six majors: three Open Championships and three Masters. He was ranked the World No...
Series development programme and 2004 and 2005 Faldo Series Girls' Champion. She received an invite to play in her first Ladies European Tour
Ladies European Tour
The Ladies European Tour is a professional golf tour for women which was founded in 1979. It is based in England. Like many UK-based sports organisations it is a company limited by guarantee, a legal structure which enables it to focus on maximising returns to its members through prize money,...
tournament at the 2005 Open De España Femenino
Open De España Femenino
The Open De España Femenino is a professional golf tournament that has been part of the Ladies European Tour schedule since 2002.Between 1982 and 1996 there were several unofficial editions of the Open De España Femenino.-Winners:-External links:*...
, the year she was Welsh Ladies' Strokeplay Championship runner-up. 2006 saw her represent Great Britain and Ireland in the Curtis Cup
Curtis Cup
The Curtis Cup is the best known team trophy for women amateur golfers, awarded in the biennial Curtis Cup Match . It is co-organised by the United States Golf Association and the Ladies Golf Union and is contested by teams representing the United States and "Great Britain and Ireland"...
after winning the English Ladies Amateur title. She was named Sony Entertainment Asia 2006 Female Junior Sports Personality of the Year for the second successive year.
Professional career
Matharu turned professional in August 2006 after winning the English Ladies Amateur title and finished 15th in her first professional tournament. Her application to play in the 2006 LPGA Tour qualifying schoolQualifying school
In professional golf the term qualifying school is used for the annual qualifying tournaments for leading golf tours such as the U.S. based PGA and LPGA Tours and the European Tour. A fixed number of players in the event win membership of the tour for the following season, otherwise known as a...
was denied by Carolyn Bivens
Carolyn Bivens
Carolyn Bivens was the commissioner of the LPGA from 2005 until her resignation on July 13, 2009...
, the new commissioner, but Matharu finished tied 3rd at the 2006 Ladies European Tour qualifying school to earn exempt status for the 2007 season. At age 18 in 2007, she was able to participate in LPGA qualifying school without special approval. She missed the cut after the fourth round in the final qualifying tournament and did not receive LPGA membership for 2008.