5’4”…Started playing golf at the age of 9...Credits her parents as the individuals most influencing her career... Enjoys reading and shopping...In 2004, opened a coffee and wine bar in Orlando, Fla., with her parents...In 2005, was named head women’s golf coach at the University of Central Florida…Qualified for the Tour on her first attempt.
Career
In 2005, crossed the $3 million mark in career earnings at the Michelob ULTRA Open at Kingsmill; best finish was a tie for fourth at the Chick-fil-A Charity Championship hosted by Nancy Lopez.
In 2004, best of three top-15 finishes was a tie for 11th at the Giant Eagle LPGA Classic.
In 2003, best finish came at the John Q. Hammons Hotel Classic, where she tied for sixth.
In 2002, posted four rounds in the 60s to tie for fourth at the State Farm Classic and clinch a spot on her first U.S. Solheim Cup Team; was one of five “rookies” on the U.S. Solheim Cup Team, posting an impressive 3-1-0 record for the victorious U.S. Team.
In 2001, posted a wire-to-wire victory at the Michelob Light Classic, her first victory since 1996; crossed $2 million in career earnings with the win.
In 2000, best finish was a tie for seventh at the LPGA Corning Classic; tied for eighth at the Subaru Memorial of Naples.
In 1999, best finish was third place at the New Albany Golf Classic; recorded her second LPGA career hole-in- one during the final round of the PageNet Championship.
In 1998, best finish was second place at the Safeway LPGA Golf Championship; also tied for second at the LPGA Corning Classic; recorded her first LPGA career hole-in-one during the second round of the Oldsmobile Classic.
In 1997, fired a career-low 63 during the final round of the Diet Dr Pepper National Pro-Am, where she posted her season best finish of second place after losing to Kelly Robbins on the second hole of a suddendeath playoff.
In 1996, won two tournaments: became a Rolex First-Time Winner at the PING Welch’s Championship in Boston; and captured the Weetabix Women’s British Open title the following week.
In 1995, her rookie season, finished second on two occasions: State Farm Rail Classic, after losing to Mary Beth Zimmerman on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff; and the SAFECO Classic.
In 1994, qualified for the Tour after tying for 18th at the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament to earn exempt status for the 1995 LPGA season.
Amateur
Klein enjoyed a successful amateur career. Her accolades include 1988 California Women’s Amateur champion, 1989-92 First Team American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) All-American, 1991 AJGA Rolex Junior Player of the Year and 1991 U.S. Girls’ Junior champion. In 1993, she won both the Broadmoor Invitational and the North and South Amateur Championship and was named Amateur of the Year. In addition, as a member of the Arizona State University golf team for two years, she was a two-time All-American, 1994 NCAA champion and named Golfweek Collegiate Player of the Year. She was also a member of the 1994 U.S. Curtis Cup Team.
