Max Orrin (North Foreland, Kent) made history when he became the first English player to win the prestigious Thunderbird International Junior at the Grayhawk club in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The 18 year old from Kent (image © Tom Ward), carded a final round 69 for a 54-hole total of 206, ten under par, and a five-stroke winning margin from A J McInerney and six clear of third-placed Korean-born Tae Wan Lee.

This is Orrin’s biggest victory to date against an international field. His previous success came last year in the Andalucia Junior Open in Spain.

But Orrin has been in good form all season, finishing runner-up in the Darwin Salver and the McEvoy Trophy as well as being a member of the winning team in the Nations Cup at the Fairhaven Trophies.

At Grayhawk, an opening 70 left him two shots off the lead held by Lee but a second round 67 saw him two strokes clear of Lee and McInerney going into the final day.

Then, his 69 saw Orrin increase his advantage as his two main rivals failed to better par and slipped down the leaderboard.

Leading final golf scores:

206 M Orrin (England) 70 67 69

211 A J McInerney (Nevada) 71 68 72

212 Tae Wan Lee (South Korea) 68 71 73

213 B Hossier (California) 70 72 71

214 J Cerda (Chile) 73 69 72

Source: England Golf Media Release