He's got a swing better than Tiger

8:20am Saturday 19th July 2008

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A SIX-YEAR-OLD protege is following in the footsteps of his idol Tiger Woods by reaching the final of a national golf competition at St Andrews.

William Skipp has been swinging clubs since he was 18 months old and is now in the top two per cent in the country, according to his professional golf coach.

He will hit his best 36 shots at “the home of golf”, with the aim of becoming crowned the best golfer aged five or six across the UK and Ireland. The event takes place on August 23 and 24.

More than 4,500 junior players competed in the HSBC Wee Wonders Championship at 100 qualifying events.

Last weekend, William, from Hartburn, in Stockton, won the regional final in his age category at the Leeds Golf Centre, after two days of competition.

Marty Clements, who has been coaching William at Knotty Hill Golf Centre, in Sedgefield, County Durham, since he was three, said he was a naturally gifted player.

He said: “The standard of his play is exceptional. There are not many children like him. He is in the top couple of per cent and has natural ability that you cannot teach.

“His parents do not push him, which is great. He is still just a little chap and is enjoying himself, but he can beat other junior golfers who come here who are as old as 14.”

Mr Clements said William can hit a ball 120 yards and can get around nine holes on a golf course in 48 shots, an impressive achievement considering most 18- hole courses have a par 72.

William said he loved golf superstar Tiger Woods and having lessons at Knotty Hill on Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings, and added: “Marty is the best coach ever and everyone is very nice there.”

Last year Mr Clements arranged it for William to have a one-on-one lesson with Andrew Nicholson, the director of the David Leadbetter Academy at Wynyard Golf Club and BBC golf presenter. It was an eye-opening experience for William’s parents Jonathan and Lizzy who were presented with a DVD comparing William’s play to that of his famous hero’s.

Mrs Skipp said: “We knew he was good, but when we were told that William’s swing was potentially better than Tiger’s, it made us think we should sit up and take notice.”

Mr Skipp added: “William says he wants to be a golfer when he grows up, but there’s still a long way to go yet. The most important thing for us is that he is having fun and we have no doubt that he’s having the time of his life.”

For more information on tuition for juniors at the Knotty Hill Golf Centre, call Marty Clements on 07787-536807.