Kiran Matharu, an English golfer of Indian origin, returns to her roots when she competes in the EMAAR-MGF Ladies Masters to be played at Eagleton Resort Dec 3-8.
BANGALORE: Kiran Matharu, an English golfer of Indian origin, returns to her roots when she competes in the EMAAR-MGF Ladies Masters to be played at Eagleton Resort Dec 3-8.
The first-ever Ladies European Tour event in India will see a star cast -- led by veteran Laura Davies and Gwladys Nocera -- vying for a share in the 200,000 euro ($292,670) prize fund.
"Everyone raves about Michelle Wie. I know that Kiran's game is up there with the best in the business, and she is the best English golfer at the moment. It's only a question of time before she strikes it big," said Kiran's father, Amarjit Matharu, whose family shifted to Britain from Punjab in 1958.
"If you ask me, she is the Sachin Tendulkar of women's golf in the Indian context," he added. Kiran, now 18, seriously took to golf when she was just 11 and within a year her handicap dropped to 12, then to six and to one, before reaching plus four in early 2006. She turned pro on Aug 16, 2006.
Kiran, however, seemed oblivious of her achievements. "I just want to be known as a good golfer, and that's it," said the 18-year-old from Leeds, currently having a good run on the tour.
Kiran finished tied-second at the Nykredit Masters in September, which was enough to clinch the Volvo Cross Country Challenge and a brand new Volvo XC70. She topped the Order of Merit after recording a tense runner-up spot following a three-way play-off with Nykredit Masters winner Lisa Hall and fellow Brit Kirsty Taylor -- who was also in contention to win the car.
"I am happy to win the car -- it was unexpected and I am really pleased," said Kiran, who has not yet learned how to drive. She also posted a top-10 finish in the Wales Ladies Championship and tied for fourth place in the Finnair Masters in the run up to the EMAAR-MGF Ladies Masters.
"I played a tournament in India in March (the Indian Open on the Asian Tour). The sport is really getting popular in India," said Kiran, who has so far played 24 tournaments on the Ladies European Tour, managing four top-10 finishes and winning 70,408.50 euro.
"I think a lot of people will find it difficult (playing in India). It was for me. It is very different being in India. The culture is different, obviously the food as well. But it will be really good," she said.
Mohamed Buamaim, vice chairman and CEO of golf in Dubai, commented: "Kiran is fast emerging as a solid player on the tour and being of Indian origin, she will bring that extra flavour to the event in Bangalore."
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