You don't look a typical a lady golfer.

Women golfers aren't what people think any more. There are good-looking women playing golf and a new generation of young players.

Always hit the course with your face on?

I put a bit of make-up on to make myself feel good and so that I don't look a fright in the morning.

Many male admirers?

There are some.

You're a former England Girls' champion and you're playing in the Women's British Open in two weeks. How's your game?

It's going in the right direction.

Perfectionist?

Yes, definitely. I get angry that I can't do things right. I like being in control, otherwise I get stressed and feel frustrated.

What's your handicap?

You don't have one once you turn pro. My handicap before I turned pro was +5, which meant five points were added to my score at the end of each game.

Sir Clive Woodward, of the British Olympic Association, says you're the template for our future Olympic athletes. No pressure, then.

Clive's philosophy is that athletes should look at all areas of their performance, not just training for the game you're in, but also focusing on nutrition, overall fitness and preparation coaching. He has helped me to do that.

What's your training schedule like?

For golf you need stability in your legs and core muscles, otherwise your game suffers. So I do three to four strength sessions and cardio sessions a week. I'm just really sporty; I played football and tennis when I was younger and now I snowboard in the winter.

What's the cardio for?

It's mainly the feel-good factor and it helps me to feel like I can beat everyone.

Work on the mental game?

I don't do psychological training, it's more preparation coach training. We work on carefully structuring my practice sessions and my day to make sure that I'm completely prepared.

How do you focus your mind?

I do yoga for 30 minutes before I play. It's like meditation; it helps me to centre myself.

What do you feel just before you take a shot?

If I'm in the right place, then I feel calm. I think about my breathing. I keep my emotions under control. Then I commit to the shot.

Ever had an injury?

I had a wrist injury last year. I tore a membrane and the only way to fix it was to do nothing.

Put ants in your pants?

God, yes. I had five weeks off and it was the most painful five weeks ever. I was so grumpy and frustrated.

Try any magic cures?

No, I prefer the proven route.

Healthy eater?

I'm very focused on food. In the morning I have porridge for slow-release energy. I never have stodgy carbs at night unless I'm doing an early morning session. I eat loads of fruit and veg, and buy organic and free range.

No bad habits then?

I'm a bit of a chocoholic. Galaxy Caramels are my vice. And ice-cream. I love Ben & Jerry's.

Smoker?

I don't smoke and I rarely drink. I like alcohol, but I hate hangovers and I never drink during a tournament. I did all my drinking when I was 18.

Will you be gracing the cover of FHM?

I don't see myself as an FHM girl, but I like the male attention. I'm certainly not going to do sexy magazine shoots - I'd like to prove myself on the golf course, not in a bikini.

Favourite course?

I have a couple: Sunnydale in Courtenay, British Columbia; and Kingsbarns in Scotland.

Very superstitious?

I use an American 25 cent coin to mark the position of my ball.

Who's your sporting god?

Tiger Woods. I want to be a female version of him.

Ricoh Women's British Open, SunningdaleGolf Club, July 31-August 3. For tickets, log on to www.ricohwomensbritishopen.com

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