Amazing Alice makes dream start to life in America

Hewson, from Berkhamsted, is the first student at Clemson University, South Carolina, to win their first college event.

She was six-under-par for the 54-hole Cougar Classic, with rounds of 71, 65 and 74, and tied for medallist honours with Taylor Tomlinson of the University of Florida.

The 18-year-old also set a college scoring record with her bogey-free second round of seven-under-par 65, which vaulted her into the lead.

“Alice played a flawless round of golf,” said head coach JT Horton. “She made crucial up-and-down shots when she needed to, but really she made it look easy most of the time. She is an explosive player as we can see by her score. I am happy for her.”

Hewson helped England to win the Girls’ Home Internationals for the eighth successive year before leaving for the USA.

Earlier in the season she was second in qualifying at the European women’s team championship and fourth in the English women’s amateur. She was in England’s winning teams at last year’s girls’ and ladies’ Home Internationals.