A GOLFER from Prudhoe boasts the accolade of recording the third longest drive in the world.

A former junior at Stocksfield, Rebecca McGinley (24) finished in the top three of the Women’s World Long Drive Championship, in Oklahoma, USA, in her first competition.

Her monstrous drive of 311 yards in the final was just 10 off four time world champion Sandra Carlborg and seven off runner-up Heather LeMaster.

The achievement caps off a remarkable year since turning professional for Rebecca, as she has made it through to the final stages of the tour school in order to compete for a place on next year’s Ladies’ European Tour.

The member of Wearside Golf Club has enjoyed a successful maiden year on the Ladies’ Access Tour, and is four rounds off making the step up to the big time as she heads to the final qualifying in Marakech, Morocco, just before Christmas.

Her involvement in the long drive championships came about when she was playing against Carlborg on the tour, again in Morocco, and her opponent was impressed with how far she could hit her opening shot.

Rebecca looked into long drive and progressed in competitions run by sports chain American Golf, winning both the regional heat in Gateshead and the national one at High Legh Park, Cheshire.

As a result, American Golf paid for her to head to America to compete in the world championships - and she threw the cat among the pigeons by claiming third place in her first appearance on the international stage.

Rebecca said: “There was a bit of tough competition for my first year, but I have only been beaten by two past world champions.

”I’m just a little girl from Prudhoe and for people to see me come third in the worlds is quite surreal.

“The most positive thing was for Sandra Carlborg to say that she thinks I’m going to be ‘dangerous’, and she has won it many times before so knows her stuff.

“My main priority is to get my tour card because my passion has always been golf, but the long drive events are just an added extra and a bit of fun. I’m definitely going to compete again next year as I don’t want anyone to take my title off me in the UK, and hopefully I can go better in the worlds and finish second or even first!”

Rebecca’s priority now turns to fighting for her place on the coveted European Tour, needing to finish in the top 30 in the final stage of the tour school in Marakech between December 18 and 22.

The former Prudhoe High School pupil has just returned from Morocco this week where she booked her place with a solid performance, aided by expert caddy Graeme Marchbank, of Durham City.

Rebecca said: “I am ecstatic to make the final stages, and getting my card on the tour against the big girls would be the perfect way to end a great first year as pro.

“On the last day of pre-qualifying, I was so nervous and I knew I just needed one more par to get through. I had a 6ft putt and I thought, ‘If I get this, I have confirmed my place in the final.’

“It was like a huge weight had been lifted when it went in as that was the most stressful even ever in my life!

“I have got a lot of confidence going into the final stage but I have never been there before so don‘t know what to expect.

“But it’s good to know I have a lot of support from friends and family no matter what happens.”