English rookie Kiran Matharu

(Helsingør, Denmark – September 9, 2007) Kiran Matharu’s tied-second-place finish at the Nykredit Masters was enough to clinch the Volvo Cross Country Challenge and a brand new Volvo XC70.

The 18-year-old from Leeds, England, 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 Matharu, who has not yet learnt to drive.

“I will probably have six weeks off before my next LET tournament so I might get some lessons in so that I can drive this lovely car!”

The competition states that for a player to be eligible for the car and a share of the $150,000 prize money, she must have played in at least three of the four Nordic events on the Ladies European Tour – which also includes the Scandinavian TPC Hosted by Annika, the SAS Masters, and the Finnair Masters.

Matharu finished in tied-fourth in Finland and 28th in the first event in Sweden.

Matharu and Bengt Magnusson Bengt Magnusson

The previous three tournaments on the Volvo XC Challenge had all been won by members of this week’s European Solheim Cup Team.

Scotland’s Catriona Matthew won her first Ladies European Tour title in almost a decade when she took the Scandinavian TPC Hosted by Annika in August, while Suzann Pettersen cruised to victory at her home event, the SAS Masters in Norway, two weeks later.

Bettina Hauert won the third event – the Finnair Masters – in Helsinki on September 2, before Hall broke the chain with her win.

Bengt Magnusson, Volvo’s Director of Sponsoring and Events, said: “Volvo has been pleased to be associated with the Ladies European Tour for the past three years, and we are delighted with the way the sport has developed.

“We hope that Kiran enjoys her Volvo XC as much as we have enjoyed watching and supporting the players on the LET.”