America and Thailand have Tiger Woods, now Britain and India hope they have their own mixed-race superstar.

She is Kiran Matharu, the first high-profile British-Asian golfing star who is hoping to supplant Michelle Wie as the next true teenage sensation.

The 17-year-old Curtis Cup player has a string of titles to her name, including the 2006 English Ladies Amateur crown and is the youngest golfer to qualify for the Ladies European Tour. In her first pro event in Wales, she finished 15th.

The sponsorship dollars have also started to roll in after she landed a deal with Puma India to endorse their brand in one of the world’s fastest growing economies.

Matharu has no problems being hailed as the female Tiger Woods, simply because the American star is one of her heroes. She can also count English legend Nick Faldo as a friend and mentor who is helping Matharu reach her career goals.

Matharu was quoted recently as saying in the India’s Financial Express as saying:

“I want to play like him (Tiger Woods) one day. I just want to play golf and that’s it.”

In the same publication, she also talks enthusiastically about her relationship with Faldo.

“I can call him up anytime and clear my doubts. This helps me to improve my game every time I talk to him. Nick’s a great friend.”

The Yorkshire native started playing when she was 11 years old after accompanying her father to golf courses.

Last year, she was denied the chance to qualify for the LPGA Tour because of her apparent lack of success in pro events, although this has not put Matharu off her ambition of one day playing in the United States.

Faldo predicts great things for the teenager, and was quoted in the media as saying:

“Kiran combines a great game with a steady nerve and I’m confident that, with a little more experience, she will be in a position to challenge for the very highest honours that the ladies game has to offer.”