Lauri Merten (born July 6, 1960) is an American professional golfer. She also competed under the names Lauri Peterson (1983–87) and Lauri Merten-Peterson (1988). Merten was born in Waukesha, Wisconsin. She attended Arizona State University and joined the LPGA Tour in 1983. When she retired, Merten claimed burnout was the cause. Another factor was undoubtedly the unwanted attention surrounding the murder conviction of her brother-in-law Thomas Capano in 1996.