Howley Hall's O'Grady breaks 300-yard barrier

Howley Hall's Becki O'Grady pictured at the American Golf
Long Drive Championship at
Heythrop Park, Oxfordshire (Picturet: Mark Newcombe/visionsingolf.com). — Howley Hall's Becki O'Grady pictured at the American Golf Long Drive Championship at Heythrop Park, Oxfordshire (Picturet: Mark Newcombe/visionsingolf.com).

HOWLEY HALL'S Becki O'Grady smashed a personal best to take third place at the American Golf UK Long Drive Championship at Heythrop Park in Oxfordshire.

O’Grady, also a semi-finalist last year, knocked out world No 3 Rebecca McGinley in the quarter-finals with a drive of 302 yards – her first time over the 300 mark.

In the following round she hit another 300-yard drive, but was beaten by 14-year-old Elle Gibson (Shire).

“I’ve actually hit over 300 yards for the first time – and I did it twice,” said O’Grady. “I can’t ask for much more.”

Top qualifier Illona Stubley, from Glasgow, won the final against Gibson with a 307-yard hit.