DUCHY College student Megan Giles is celebrating after finishing second in the Andalucia Junior European Open in Spain.

The event, which is in association with the Daily Express, is staged over five rounds and pits young golfers from across the EU against each other for the top spot.

Megan, who is studying on the tournament golf college development programme, gained automatic qualification to the champions week in Spain as she won the event last year. The open is widely believed to the toughest test in junior golf.

Megan said: ‘Despite battling through food poisoning and dodging the thunderstorms, I think I played really well to catch up with the leaders. It was a great experience having to defend the title and the standard was much better this year. I am pleased with the result and learned a lot from the competition.’

The tournament golf college development programme combines a level 3 extended diploma in sport with golf tuition and match play.

The course is equivalent to three A-levels and students study a range of topics such as sports’ nutrition, performance analysis, psychology and sports injuries. Alongside this, students also have the opportunity to take part in a residential at the Amendoeira Golf Resort in Portugal for winter training.

Team lead for sport at Duchy College Darren Evans said: ‘We are completely thrilled with Megan’s achievement. She has a promising future ahead. Megan is a great example of just what hard work and determination can achieve. We are delighted to support her and this could be just the tip of the iceberg.’

Team lead for sport at Duchy College, Darren Evans, said: ‘We are completely thrilled with Megan’s achievement; she has a promising future ahead. Megan is a great example of just what hard work and determination can achieve, we are delighted to support her and this could be just the tip of the iceberg!’