SANDHURST teenager Abbi Rowlands has qualified for the final of the American Golf U.K. Long Drive Championships.

The 15-year-old booked her third appearance in the competition with a 258 yard drive in a regional qualifier.

Rowlands, who reached her first final in 2015 aged 13, is now one drive away from the ladies’ UK title and a place in the World Championships in America.

Rowlands is a student at Hawley Place School in Camberley and plays her golf at Pine Ridge Golf Club.

She was one of 5,000 budding long drivers who entered the event run by nationwide golf retailer American Golf.

She won through first stage qualifying at her local American Golf store this spring, before progressing to the regional final where she sent out a 258 yard monster to secure a spot in the final.

She now lines up against the best long drivers in the U.K at Heythrop Park in Oxfordshire on August 4 when she will battle it out for the UK & Ireland title and the one qualifying spot for the World Championships in Oklahoma.

With ambitions to be a professional golfer, Rowlands has benefitted greatly from her experiences with American Golf over the past 3 years.

“The other competitors have been really helpful offering good advice and support,” she said. “Competing at the long drive finals has been a great experience and I’m looking forward to this year’s event.”

Daniel Gathercole from American Golf added: “The standard of qualifying this year has been amazing. To make the final from over 5000 entrants is an incredible achievement.”

The 2017 Under 45, Over 45 and Ladies finals will be shown on Sky Sports. Entry to the final is free for spectators.