North East golfer Rebecca McGinley has secured an incredible third place finish in the World Long Drive Championship after taking on the biggest hitters in the women’s game in Oklahoma, U.S.A.
Having qualified for the World Championships with victory at the American Golf U.K. Long Drive Championship, Rebecca cruised through the first five stages of the tournament, finishing as third seed for the knockout matchplay quarter finals.
In tough conditions, into a 15mph headwind and with a damp landing surface, the quarter-finals produced a wonderful display of power hitting from every competitor with Rebecca edging out L.A. based Troy Mullins with a 297 yard monster hit. Progressing to the semi’s, Rebecca came up against No.2 seed, New Zealander Phyllis Meti.
“Phyllis is a great competitor so I knew it’d be a tough match up,” commented the professional golfer from Prudhoe near Newcastle. “I wasn’t hitting the ball as well as I’d like all tournament as I’ve been struggling with a hand injury but we were evenly matched and it just came down to who got the better ball away on the day.”
Taking the first set of six balls, Rebecca struggled for consistency but managed to get away a good drive of 290 yards. Phyllis took up the challenge and managed to edge past with a 294 yard effort, knocking Rebecca out and into third position. Phyllis progressed to the final where she secured the overall title with a 310 yard drive off the very last ball of the tournament.
After the event Rebecca commented, “To lose to the winner is some consolation but I know that I can do better. I’ll be heading to my local American Golf next spring to start the qualification process for next year. This is my second year finishing third at the worlds and American Golf and Garmin have been a fantastic support in bringing me out here both years as their champion. I’m going to do my best to win my American Golf U.K. title back in 2017 and will come back to look after some unfinished business.”
American Golf will be opening up the exclusive U.K. qualifying for the 2017 World Long Drive Championships in spring 2017 at every one of its 109 U.K. stores. Open to Ladies, Men’s Under 45 and Men’s Over 45 categories anyone can enter and if they win their store qualifier will progress to a regional final followed by the U.K. final in September 2017.
American Golf www.americangolf.co.uk