Sharmila Nicollet is the face of women's golf in India. She has been making news in the international circuit not only for her sports attitude but also for her glitz and glamour which adds that x-factor to her personality and golf. Tilak Malaviya unplugs the champion golfer ahead of the Hero Women's Indian Open 2013.

Early years: I was always into sports. My mother, Surekha Nicollet, who surprisingly is a non-golfer, introduced me to the sport in 2002 when I was 11 years old.

Home Course: KGA, Bangalore

First Coach: Sujay Gorpade

First golf set: Callaway

Role Models: Tiger Woods and Suzann Pettersen

Academics: I did my schooling from Bishop Cotton Girls’ School and Bangalore International school and finished grade X & XII privately. Currently I'm pursuing a degree in Psychology.

Highlight as an Amateur: I was adjudged number one junior golfer for the year 2005-2006 in IGU's OOM. I was also the youngest lady golfer to win the All India Amateur Championship in 2007-2008.

I represented India at the Asian Games in Doha 2006; Callaway World Junior Amateur Championship in Sandiego – USA, the Queen Sirikit Cup in Japan; the Malaysian Open and other international tournaments.

Highlight as a professional: I turned professional in 2009 and ended the year with two titles on WGAI Tour, a top 10 finish at the Thai LPGA event in Bangkok and clinched won the 2009-10 WGAI Order of Merit.

2010-11 was a golden period. I won five professional tiles and the WGAI Order of Merit for second straight season. I was the highest ranked Indian at the Hero Women's Indian Open 2011 where I finished T23rd - shooting lowest score of the day in the final round.

In 2012 I became the youngest Indian to qualify for the Ladies European Tour. I've performed well in overseas tournaments that I have played on Ladies Asian Tour in Thailand, Indonesia and China, and Ladies European tour events in Finland, Slovakia, Evian Masters, Dutch Open and others.

Other sports: I'm a natural athlete. I was a champion swimmer in the State from 1997 to 2001 and good at athletics before I took to golf. I've also done horse riding, played chess with distinction and I like watching tennis, cricket and F1.

Leisure time: I like going out with friends. Love shopping, movies, romantic dinner and spa treatment. I've also modeled for Walls Ice Cream and Kwality Biscuits. I also play Piano - passed my third grade Piano exam with merit.

Goals: Become No.1 player on the LPGA and represent India at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio and win a medal.

Favourites:

Food – Italian, Seafood, Sushi

TV shows - Suits, Breaking bad, White collar, Californication, Entourage,
Homeland , Dexter, Two and a half men, game of thrones

Music- Hip hop, rock, rap

Dream Car – Lamborghini

Gadget – Apple and Bose

Fashion designer - Louis Vuitton

Restaurant - Seafood bars

Possession – Macbook pro

Actors - Ian Sommerhalder, Chris Evans, Jason Statham, Leonardo DiCaprip, Matt Bomer

Dream fourball: I would love to play with Michael Phelps, Tiger Woods, Adam Scott

Most memorable golfing moment- Representing India at the 2006 Asian Games in Doha and the first tournament I won at the age of 14.

Favorite holiday destination in India and abroad - Goa and New York

Favorite golf course in India and abroad - Jaypee greens and KGA, Berkshire

Toughest golf course: Links courses in Ireland

Hidden talent: Pianist, Car modification, perfumer.