CLEETHORPES golfer Sophie Walker has been a professional since October 2006 and is now in her second season on the Ladies’ European Tour.

She ended her maiden campaign a creditable 59th in the Order of Merit.

The highlight of an up-and-down year was a ninth-placed finish in the De Vere Scottish Open in September.

During a glittering amateur career, the 23-year-old won the English Strokeplay championship in 2003 aged 18 and is a former English Girls Champion.

She is a double Daily Telegraph junior girls champion.

Sophie emerged as the joint first round leader at the 2006 Wales Ladies Championship of Europe after a sensational seven-under-par 65.

She topped the ELGA Order or Merit in 2005 and starred for Great Britain and Ireland in the Vagliano Trophy win in France.

She represented GB&I from 2004-2006 and England from 2000-2006.

Sophie won her Ladies’ European Tour card after tying for sixth at the Qualifying School at the La Cala Resort in Spain in November 2006 having turned professional the previous month.

The top 28 won their cards and Sophie, at one under par for her four rounds, had four shots to spare.

She shot a 71 (one under) in the final round to add to her 71, 71 and 74.

Sophie, 5’4" tall with blonde hair and brown eyes, started playing golf at the age of 10. Her hobbies and interests include shopping, clubbing, going to the gym and supporting Liverpool Football Club.

She holds a degree in Sports Science and Management from Loughborough University where she achieved a 2:1.