ASCOT golfer Harrison Arnold received an early 18th birthday present when he was crowned champion in the Peter Mcevoy Trophy recently.

The talented youngster, who is a member at Castle Royle, shot an opening round 72 at Copt Heath, his +1 effort leaving him five shots adrift of leader Aaron Marshall.

However, Arnold (pictured above) was in scintillating form in his second round, shooting a 67 to finish -3 and winning the tournament by one shot from Josh Turnock.

He shot two rounds of 70 to finish as runner-up on count-back from Marshall, who carded a 73 in his second outing.

Arnold follows in the footsteps of previous winners including major winner Justin Rose and Lee Westwood, with the event to be shown on Sky television’s Golfing World in the coming weeks.

He has been playing for the Berks, Bucks & Oxon age group sides since the age of 12, and was captain at Under 14, U16 and U18 before making his county senior debut last year.

Arnold studies at the FAB Academy in Bisham Abbey, and is hoping to secure a scholarship to study in America next year.

The +1 handicapper is mentored by England coach Rob Watts and also works with Jason Brant at the East Berkshire club, and prior to his success in the Peter McEvoy Trophy, had finished seventh in the Scottish Boys’ Open at the start of the month.