Scottish golfer Catriona Matthew has built an impressive legacy in women’s professional golf spanning nearly three decades. Her remarkable career includes major championship glory, Solheim Cup success, and millions in prize money earnings.
This article covers Matthew’s net worth, career earnings, personal life, and achievements that have made her one of Scotland’s most successful female golfers.
Catriona Matthew’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Catriona Isobel Matthew (née Lambert) |
| Date of Birth | August 25, 1969 |
| Age | 55 years old |
| Education | University of Stirling (Accountancy degree, 1992) |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Height | 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm) |
| Weight | 55 kg (121 lbs) |
| Turned Professional | 1995 |
| Net Worth | $5-7 million (estimated) |
| Career Earnings | $9,733,132 (LPGA Tour) |
| Husband | Graeme Matthew (married 2006) |
| Children | Katie (born 2006), Sophie (born 2009) |
Early Career
Catriona Lambert was born in Edinburgh and grew up in North Berwick, where she first discovered her passion for golf. She learned to play on the Children’s Course and North Berwick West Links, starting at just five years old. Her natural talent became evident early, and she quickly progressed through junior golf ranks.
Her amateur career was nothing short of spectacular. Matthew captured the Scottish Girls championship in 1986 and went on to win the Scottish Under-21 Stroke Play championship in both 1988 and 1989. She dominated Scottish amateur golf, winning the Scottish Amateur title three times in 1991, 1993, and 1994.
Her crowning amateur achievement came in 1993 when she won the prestigious British Amateur Championship.
Matthew represented Great Britain and Ireland in the Curtis Cup three times between 1990 and 1994, gaining valuable international experience. She also won the St Rule Trophy twice and was a member of various European amateur teams.
Her academic pursuits were equally successful, as she graduated from the University of Stirling in 1992 with a degree in accountancy, taking advantage of one of the few British universities offering golf scholarships at the time.
Professional Career
Matthew turned professional in 1995 after an impressive performance at the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament, where she tied for fifth place to earn exempt status for the 1995 season. Her transition to professional golf wasn’t without challenges – she underwent emergency surgery in 1995 to remove an ovarian cyst, which could have derailed her career before it truly began.
She quickly established herself on both the LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour. Her first professional victory came at the 1996 Holden Women’s Australian Open, marking the beginning of what would become an illustrious career.
Matthew’s breakthrough on the LPGA Tour came in 2001 when she won the Cup Noodles Hawaiian Ladies Open, defeating Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam by three strokes.
Her most memorable victory came in 2009 at the Ricoh Women’s British Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes, where she became the first Scottish woman to win a major championship.
This victory was particularly remarkable as it came just 11 weeks after giving birth to her second daughter, Sophie, earning her the nickname “Supermum” from the British press. Matthew’s best seasons on the LPGA Tour were 2001 and 2005, when she finished tenth on the money list both years.
Caddie
Catriona Matthew’s regular caddie is her husband, Graeme Matthew. The couple married in 2006, and Graeme has been on her bag for most of her professional career. This arrangement has worked exceptionally well for both of them, as Graeme knows her game better than anyone and provides emotional support during the pressures of professional golf.
Having her husband as her caddie has been particularly beneficial during her years as a mother on tour. Graeme has provided an extra set of hands when their daughters were young, helping with childcare duties while maintaining his caddying responsibilities.
Matthew has noted that having Graeme on her bag has helped combat the loneliness that can come with professional golf, especially when traveling extensively.
Husband
Catriona Matthew is married to Graeme Matthew, whom she wed in 2006 after dating for several years.
Their relationship extends beyond marriage, as Graeme serves as her caddie, making them both life and professional partners. The couple has successfully balanced their personal relationship with the demands of professional golf.
Their family expanded with the birth of their first daughter, Katie, in December 2006. Their second daughter, Sophie, was born in May 2009, just 11 weeks before Matthew’s historic major championship victory at the Women’s British Open.
This timing made her victory even more remarkable, as she was still recovering from childbirth while competing at the highest level.
Both daughters have grown up around golf but have pursued other interests. Katie and Sophie are more interested in swimming and hockey than golf, keeping their famous mother grounded. Matthew has often spoken about how her daughters help her maintain perspective, reminding her that there’s life beyond golf.
The family continues to live in North Berwick, Scotland, where Matthew maintains strong ties to her home golf club.
Catriona Matthew’s Net Worth Details
As of 2025, Catriona Matthew’s estimated net worth is between $5-7 million.
Career Earnings
| Year | LPGA Tour Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1995 | $76,000 |
| 1996 | $221,000 |
| 1997 | $118,000 |
| 1998 | $370,000 |
| 1999 | $278,000 |
| 2000 | $747,000 |
| 2001 | $567,000 |
| 2002 | $506,000 |
| 2003 | $650,000 |
| 2004 | $776,000 |
| 2005 | $250,000 |
| 2006 | $461,000 |
| 2007 | $433,000 |
| 2008 | $480,000 |
| 2009 | $714,272 |
| 2010 | $692,000 |
| 2011 | $714,000 |
| 2012 | $643,000 |
| 2013 | $541,000 |
| 2014 | $214,000 |
| 2016 | $414,683 |
| 2020 | $9,384 |
Endorsements
Matthew has maintained several endorsement deals throughout her career, though she tends to keep a lower profile compared to some of her contemporaries. Her most notable sponsorship partnership was with Gleneagles, where she serves as a brand ambassador.
This relationship was particularly significant given her connection to the venue through her 2019 Solheim Cup captaincy victory. She previously had endorsement deals with VisitScotland and financial services firm Aegon, though these partnerships ended following her 2009 major championship victory.
In 2011, she signed a controversial two-year deal worth £50,000 with Angus Council to serve as a brand ambassador for Carnoustie Country, which drew criticism from some councillors who felt the money could be better spent elsewhere. Despite the controversy, the deal demonstrated her marketability and connection to Scottish golf tourism.
Career Stats
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Professional Wins | 11 |
| LPGA Tour Wins | 4 |
| Ladies European Tour Wins | 6 |
| ALPG Tour Wins | 1 |
| Major Championships | 1 (2009 Women’s British Open) |
| LPGA Tour Events Played | 568 |
| Career LPGA Earnings | $9,733,132 |
| Solheim Cup Appearances | 9 (1998-2017) |
| Solheim Cup Record as Player | 18-11-8 |
| Solheim Cup Record as Captain | 2-0 (2019, 2021) |
| Curtis Cup Appearances | 3 (1990, 1992, 1994) |
| Professional Career Span | 1995-2024 |
FAQs
1. When did Catriona Matthew win her major championship?
Matthew won the 2009 Ricoh Women’s British Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes, becoming the first Scottish woman to win a major championship. She achieved this remarkable feat just 11 weeks after giving birth to her second daughter, Sophie.
2. How many times did Matthew captain the European Solheim Cup team?
She captained the European team twice, in 2019 and 2021, becoming the first European captain to win back-to-back Solheim Cups. Her teams won 14.5-13.5 at Gleneagles in 2019 and 15-13 at Inverness Club.
3. What is Matthew’s connection to North Berwick Golf Club?
North Berwick is her home club where she learned to play golf as a child on the Children’s Course and North Berwick West Links. The club honored her achievements by naming a lounge after her, reflecting her deep connection to the venue.
4. Who are Catriona Matthew’s daughters and what are their interests?
Her daughters are Katie, born in December 2006, and Sophie, born in May 2009. Both girls are more interested in swimming and hockey than golf, keeping their mother grounded about life beyond professional golf.
5. When did Matthew announce her retirement from major championship golf?
She announced that the 2024 AIG Women’s Open at St Andrews would be her final appearance in the championship, marking her 30th consecutive participation in the event. She continues to play on the Ladies European Tour and senior golf events.
