A TEN-year-old boy has putted his way to success at the finals of a European golf championship in Spain last week.

Tidworth Garrison Golf Club member Ayden Knight returned from the European Junior tour championship in Malaga with a spot secured at the World Junior tour championships next year in Florida after winning the European contest.

Ayden won the week-long competition by 11 shots in his age category, ending with a plus six score.

Ayden’s proud father Gary Gillies said: “I’m just really proud of his dedication, he has been building up to this for a year now and he’s caught kids up who have been playing two or three years longer than him.

“He’s amazing and he enjoys it, he loves it, he spends 20-30 hours a week at golf course. He’s there every day, all he wants to do every day is play golf and I would rather it was like that than being forced to go.”

In the US-based world tournament next year, Ayden will be taking a swing against 120 others for the title of global golfing champion.

Tidworth Garrison Golf Club general manager Geoff Johnson: “I think it is a fantastic achievement personally, I’m buzzing for him.

“Since being at the club Ayden’s handicap has improved, he does come up to the club regularly especially in school holidays.

“Ahead of the world championships next year I have been speaking to our head professional to get some coaching for Ayden and he just needs to keep improving and fingers crossed.”