Top-ten first for Connor

RACHEL Connor overcame a rollercoaster few days to record a first top 10 finish on the Duramed Futures Tour in America.

The 20-year-old, from Royton, tied for eighth in the Titan Tire Challenge at Hunter’s Ridge golf course, Iowa.

But it looked as though she would have to borrow some clubs for the tournament after her set were held up in transit — only for them to turn up in the nick of time.

Connor explained: “The lead up to the event was a marathon for me as I began the week with a 23-hour car journey from Sarasota to Iowa with my friend and fellow player Jodie Ewart.

“I just managed to walk the Hunter’s Ridge course before catching a flight to play in a 36-hole pro-am in Atlantic City for Play Golf Designs.

“As you can imagine, I was slightly concerned when my clubs were ‘mislaid’ during the flight, but thankfully they did arrive in time.”

As soon as the pro-am had finished, Connor was back at the airport, hopping on to a return flight to Iowa.

But her problems didn’t end there as her clubs once again went missing.

Connor said: “I started to wonder whether the laws of aviation were conspiring against me.

“I had a tense few hours wait to see whether I would in fact have any clubs to play with, but thankfully they did get there.”

Connor was among a field of 140 hopefuls — and was a happy girl by the end of the three days.

Fighting against the elements, she opened up with a four-over-par 76, before rounds of 71 and 72 moved her up the leaderboard.

She was only four shots adrift of winner Kathleen Ekey, from Ohio.

testing
Connor went on: “The conditions were testing, with strong winds and rain delays, but I was really pleased with how my game held up.”

The former Our Lady’s pupil is playing her best golf since taking up residence at the David Leadbetter IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, last year.

She claimed her first win in America with victory at the Mission Inn Resort El Campeon in Orlando, an event on the Suncoast Ladies Series which she used as preparation for the Futures Tour.

And she came agonisingly close to following up at Stoneybrook East in Orlando, losing on the first extra hole. She had tied for top spot with LPGA Tour player Maria Hjorth.

Connor is next in competitive action on Friday, when she tees off in the Futures Tour Teva Championship in Mason, Ohio.