A quick nine with Kiran Matharu

1) Are you pleased with the progress you made in your rookie year?

I'm very happy with how the season ended for me. When I first turned pro I had a lot of invites and thought it would be a lot easier than it turned out to be. The standard of golf didn't surprise me but the travelling did. It took me a while to get to grips with things and I've learned a lot from the mistakes I made earlier in the season. Overall though, I'm pleased with the year I've had.

2) You had a slow start but then turned things round in mid-season. What changed?

My main aim at the start of the year was to qualify automatically for the British Open but I ended up playing six tournaments in row, which wasn't the right thing to do. Afterwards I spent a couple of weeks with my coach, sorted myself out and got ready for the remainder of the season. Then I had a great run in Scandinavia, managed three top-10s in a row and won a car!

3) Your Scandinavia mini-Order-of-Merit win must have done a lot for your confidence - but are you actually able to drive the car you won as a prize?

I really like the car I won (a Volvo) but I still can't drive! I think I'm good enough to pass my test but I haven't got round to it yet. Scandinavia turned out really well and was a fantastic way to end the year. It proved to me that I'm good enough to compete at this level and win at this level. I'll be looking to take that form into next year.

4) What are your main goals for the 2008 season?

I was hoping to make it on to the LPGA Tour but it's not the end of the world that I haven't made it. Instead I'll stay in Europe and be looking to dominate the tour. I definitely see myself winning now that I'm staying over here. Whatever happens though, I'll be happy.

5) Do you see yourself playing full-time on the LPGA Tour in the future?

The LPGA Tour is the place to be and I want to play against the best players in the world every week and see just how good they are. You're not going to be world No 1 playing in Europe. If you're ranked in the top five in Europe you're good enough to compete in America but, from my point of view, the sooner I get on the LPGA Tour, then the sooner I start learning more about the game.

6) Did you see much of last year's Solheim Cup at Halmstad?

I watched quite a bit of it and wished I was there helping out Europe. I know I'm as good as some of the players who made the European team so I'm not too far away from Solheim standard.

7) You must be hopeful of being involved in the 2009 matches?

Definitely. It's already one of my main goals. A lot of the players who made last year's team won once on tour and then had a few top-fives and I don't think that's the most difficult thing to do over here in Europe. Also, a lot of good young players are coming through at the moment and I would really like to be one of those who makes the team.

8) Does Europe need an injection of youth which you, Melissa Reid and Carlota Ciganda could provide?

It would be great if Europe went to America in 2009 with a young team. I've played with Melissa and Carlota and they're both great players, especially Carlota. She's younger than me but she's won loads of things. America came through with some great young players a few years ago and now it's time for us to do the same.

9) Fashion is clearly important to you. Can it attract more girls to golf?

Golf fashion is improving all the time and is definitely an area which could attract more girls to the game. Also, girls need to give sport a chance. I never expected to play golf for a living, I just followed my dad to the range one day. Some girls just need to try things because they never know what could happen.