A JUNIOR golfer has secured victory at the national final of the American Golf Junior Championships.

Owen Williams took the title in the PING Star of the Future (for children over the age of eight) category with a 9 Hole round of 3 under par.

Owen, who lives in Penarth and attends Westbourne school, played fantastic golf to take the title by three shots from Houldsworth’s Alfie Arnold at Gainsborough Golf Club, home to tournament sponsor PING.

11-year-old Owen, who is a member at the Glamorganshire golf club was delighted with his win despite a shaky start.

“I played quite well but my first two holes weren’t good at all," he said. "But by the third I started to pick up and played some decent golf. Then I made an eagle on number 4 after I topped it off the tee.

"I stuck my second to about 3 feet and holed the putt. The American Golf event makes you feel like a professional golfer because Sky Sports film you for T.V. It’s pretty cool. It’s felt amazing and I’ll definitely be back next year.”

After seeing the championship draw to a close, Matt Bacon, head of Events at American Golf said: ”This year’s championship has been an amazing event and the golf on display has been of the highest quality. It’s so satisfying to see new faces alongside young golfers who have returned to qualifiers year after year.

"For American Golf and PING to have been such an important part in the progression of so many young golfers makes me incredibly proud.

"To make it through to the final from hundreds of entrants from all over the U.K. & Ireland is a fantastic achievement and every one of the participants today has been a credit to themselves, their golf club and their family.”

John Clark, managing director of tournament sponsor PING Europe, added: “It’s always a highlight of the year to welcome the finalists of the American Golf Junior Championship to our home at Gainsborough Golf Club and this year has provided us with the best Championship golfing quality we’ve seen to date. Both PING and American Golf have a long-standing commitment to developing the next generation of golfers and, having seen the quality of play and the high class sportsmanship on display today, I think the game of golf has a strong future.”

The Junior Championship, which will be shown on Sky Sports in October, is a vital part of American Golf’s drive to get more people out playing golf more often.