SANDHURST teenager Abbi Rowlands finished third in the American Golf UK Long Drive Championship after being knocked out in the semi-finals by the eventual winner Ilona Stubley.

Rowlands, 16, put in an impressive performance from the off, finishing third in the seeding rounds before overcoming 2017 semi-finalist Becki O’Grady in the quarter-finals.

That put Rowlands up against 2017 champion Ilona Stubley in the semi-finals, a task which was eventually just one step too far as her 254-yard effort was trumped by one of 290.

Rowlands has qualified for the final of this event every year since she was 13 years old.

Reflecting on her experience at the final, she commented: “I’m very happy to have got this far.

“I’m getting better every single year which is good.

“I’m aiming to get down to a seven handicap by the end of summer and go to golf college in Haywards Heath next year which will be really good.

“I hope to get up to around 300 yards this time next year and to finish somewhere near the top.”