TAVISTOCK's rising young golf star James Ruth scooped his most important title to date last week, when he lifted the Daily Telegraph World Junior Golf Championship title after a thrilling final in South Africa.

James, who is 18, beat 20,000 other young hopefuls to make it to the finals of the event held on the Gary Player course in Sun City.

He was never behind in the tournament, after sharing the lead with Todd Adcock in the first round.

But it was the middle round which determined the eventual result, as James battled against the elements to record the only under par round.

It meant he held a five-shot advantage going into the final round and despite Adcock reducing the deficit after eight holes, he held his nerve to win by three shots.

A tired James, who admitted to having little sleep since his return to Tavistock last Friday, said he was delighted with his win.

'They had me down as favourite, but I knew there were players as good as me,' he said.

'I wasn't hitting as well as I could do, that made me more nervous, but I was the only one to go under par and that was when it was really windy on the second day, so that made me feel better.'

In addition to his trophy, James's win entitles him to a visit to the Belfry, where he will be kitted out by golf giant Taylor Made.

Last year's championship winner was also invited to play in the British Masters — so James is keeping his fingers crossed that honour will also be coming his way.

Reaction back home to his big win has been predictably happy.

'Everyone was really happy for me when I got back to the club,' said James.

'Now I'm looking forward to to the England A men's squad training on Wednesday.'

This week's training will be the first time James will have played as a senior. The British golf team is picked from this elite squad, which will have two more training sessions before Christmas.

Last week's win has rounded off a fantastic year for James — he represented England in the World Boys' Championships in Japan in June and was part of the Devon men's team which clinched the England County Championships last month.

'I've travelled the world — it's been great,' said James.