Moscow-born Maria Verchenova is the first Russian woman playing full-time on the Ladies European Tour. As a child she dreamed of becoming a ballerina but her plans soon changed after her father introduced her to golf at the age of 12.
Maria quickly rose through the amateur ranks, winning the Russian Amateur Championship in 2004 and 2006, the Latvian and Slovenian Amateur Championships in 2005, and she was runner-up at the 2006 World University Championships in Turin, Italy.
In 2007, she turned pro and earned her Ladies European Tour card via the Qualifying School.
In 14 events in 2008, her best finish was T5th at the Tenerife Ladies Open, at Golf Club Costa Adeje.
In 13 events in 2009, her best finish was 24th at the at Tenerife Ladies Open.
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“I am looking at Maria (Sharapova), not because of the way she looks but because of the way she plays. I think Russian women are strong mentally. They are trying really hard and they are achieving things.”
"I always like to bring something extra special to the golf course, so if I’m wearing sexier, more stylish stuff like a shorter skirt or a nice tennis-style dress and people notice, then great. "