Talented young golfer Sophie Madden defeated players from around the globe to win the US Kids’ Golf World Championship.

She recorded a total of 212, five strokes ahead of any other player in the under-14s category.

The 14-year-old, from Chigwell, finished five under par defeating 40 competitors from 39 countries.

Sophie travelled to the prestigious PGA course of Pinehurst, North Carolina, which will stage the 2014 US and Women’s US open to compete in the event.

Sophie, who practices at the West Essex and Abridge Golf Club, qualified for the tournament by winning the European Championships in Scotland.

Speaking about her victory in America she said: “When I found out that I had won I was really happy but I had been doing a lot of preparation for the tournament.

“I practice quite a lot, around four hours a day but even with the hard work it was a shock for me to win.”

Sophie has continued her impressive summer form and has also added the East of England Under-15 and Under-18 Championship trophies to her collection.

Her ambition is to make the Ladies PGA tour in the next five years.

While the two players currently at the top of the men’s leader-board are both English, Sophie looks up to American Rickie Fowler because ‘he is different to many of the players’.

Her father, Dave, is also her coach and believes his daughter can reach the top of the women’s game.

He said: “Playing golf is what she wants to do. As long as she wants to do that the family will continue to support her throughout.

“I think she can go far as long as long as she stays focused. During the summer holidays she is practicing all day every day. But when she has got to go to school she still spends three hours or so in the evening working on her game.”

Sophie was introduced to golf by her grandfather at the age of eight and has gone from strength to strength ever since.

Mr Madden said: “She had a different coach but things were not working out with him and her game was becoming too up and down.

“But over the last month or so she has really taken off and is playing well.

“After doing so well in the tournament she has spoken to universities in America who are interested in her coming over there to work on her game.

“Universities such as UCLA and Stamford have shown an interest but she would not be going over there until she is 18.

“But that would be up to her. If she goes over we will be support her choice. But she may want to stay here and develop in this country.” `