Welsh golf is celebrating a new global star in 12-year-old Y Pant Comprehensive School pupil Ffion Tynan.
The rising star from Ystradowen won the 11-14 title at the IMG Academy Junior World Championships – Florida Challenge, shooting her best score in the final round to win by two shots at the Palm Aire Country Club.
The 54-hole individual stroke play competition brought together golfers from nine different nations and Tynan was the only representative from the UK. All players were guaranteed three rounds of golf against some of the best junior players in the world.
Tynan ended up on six under for the three rounds having shot an opening round 74. She followed that up with a 71 in round two before blowing away her nearest rivals with the best score of the tournament, a career low 65 to win the title.
“Absolutely thrilled! What a time to shoot my lowest ever score -7 to win. I’ve been overwhelmed with all the messages I have received – I still need to pinch myself about what happened, it was a pretty special day,” said Tynan on her Twitter page.
Launched in 2014, the event, formerly the IMG Academy Junior World Match Play is a sister event to the world-renowned IMG Academy Junior World Golf Championships (San Diego).
She became a junior member at Pontypridd Golf Club in 2011 and made rapid progress. In 2013 she became US Kid’s European Champion in her age group and also finished third in the World Asian Championships in Jakarta.
In America, Tynan played in the World Taylormade Championships in Las Vegas and finished fourth and in the US Kids World Championships she was placed 20th in a 72 player Field.