Germany-based Fiona Liddell, 16-year-old recent winner of the Scottish Under-18 girls' match-play golf tournament, scored a magnificent victory in the Optimist International girls championship.

Germany-based Fiona Liddell, 16-year-old recent winner of the Scottish Under-18 girls' match-play golf tournament, scored a magnificent victory in the Optimist International girls championship - one of the most prestigious junior events in the United States - at the PGA National Resort and Spa, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Fiona, whose Falkirk-born father Stephen is a club pro in Germany, led at halfway in the 72-hole event, lost the lead over the third round but rallied on the final day as the new leader faltered to hit the front again and stay there for victory.

If Liddell, who played for GB and I in the Junior Vagliano Trophy match against the Continent of Europe at Chantilly, France last year, can keep on improving she must have a chance of making the team for the Curtis Cup match against the Americans at Dun Laoghaire Golf Club, Ireland in 2016.

She scored 73, 69, 78 and 77 for a total of nine-over-par 297 over a tough course and conditions. She won by two shots from Ariadna Fonseca from Caracas, Venezuela.

Underlining the fact that the golf test became more severe as the week wore on is Fiona Liddell's birdie tally. She had nine birdies over the first 36 holes, at which point she had a five-stroke lead. Over the final two rounds, the Scot had only two birdies.

She bogeyed the seventh, eighth, 10th, 14th, 15th and 16th in halves of 37-40 in the final round - and still won by two shots!

Overnight leader Yucan Han from China slumped to a final round of 82 (43-39) for a total of 301 and fourth place. She had two early double bogeys.

LEADING FINAL TOTALS

297 Fiona Liddell (Scotland) 73 69 78 77

299 Ariadna Fonseca (Venezuela) 73 74 75 77

300 Chloe Verasco (Texas, USA) 74 77 72 77

301 Yucan Han (China) 73 75 71 82

302 Kelsey Zeng (Florida, USA) 77 77 75 73, Taylor Dobson (Oklahoma) 73 76 77 76

CREDIT CAL CARSON GOLF AGENCY