Kiran Matharu adds sheen to Women's Indian Open Golf

New Delhi, Feb 28 (UNI) She is hailed as the next Michelle Wei by none other than Nick Faldo and now Kiran Matharu would return to the roots when the British Indian tees off in the DLF Women's Indian Open which gets underway on March 14.

The 18-year old Matharu finished third in the Qualifying School this year and will be playing her first ever pro golf tournament on Indian soil courtesy DLF Golf and Country Club and British Airways.

''I am very excited about playing in the DLF Women's Indian Open.

I came to India for the first time in December to visit my family and friends and have been waiting for this tournament as it will be a very special week for me,'' she said.

Matharu, the youngest European on the Ladies European Tour who has represented England right from under-14, was selected last year for the Great Britain and Ireland Squads to play against America at Bandon Dunes GC, Oregon for the Curtis Cup Team.

She was the youngest member from both sides in that Curtis Cup contest. In addition, Matharu was declared the 'Junior Female Sports Personality of the Year' at the 'Sony Sports Awards' two years in a row in 2005 and 2006.

''I am thrilled to play on an LAGT event in India,'' said the teen from Leeds.

Matharu adds further flavour to what is a full strength field with over 70 international participants competing.

UNI