YOUNGSTER Lewy Hayward is well on his way to becoming Swindon’s next golfing sensation after qualifying to compete in the Wee Wonders Championship final at St Andrews.

With Broome Manor pro David Howell well in the thick of the action in the Open Championship this weekend, nine-year-old Lewy will soon get the chance to follow in his footsteps when he also tees up at the Home of Golf.

Lewy, a member of the Swindon Premier Golf Academy Elite Coaching programme, booked his place in the Wee Wonders final by winning his age group qualifier by two clear shots at Redbourn Golf Club after carding an superb gross score of 31 around the challenging nine-hole course.

He will play 36 holes over two days at St Andrews alongside some of the country’s leading nine and 10-year-old players.

Lewy has been playing golf since the age of four and already boasts a handicap of 17, which has reduced from 25 since the start of the year. He is also part of the Wiltshire Performance under 14 squad.

Lewy’s father, and Swindon Premier Golf Academy head coach, Lee Hayward said: “Myself and my wife, Laura, are ecstatic and super proud of the little man for the way he played at Redbourn.

“He was focused, he picked himself up when things went wrong and truly deserves his place in the final through playing some great golf.

“He is so happy and excited about visiting the Home of Golf and has even managed to get his grandparents to make the trip and support too.

“It’s great for me personally as his dad and his coach to see him make the final, as I just can’t keep him away from the course.

“He absolutely loves being a part of Broome Manor Golf Club, as did I when I played my junior golf.”

Fellow Academy players Harry Dearsley and Macklin Hawkins went close to making the finals themselves, with 10-year-old Dearsley shooting a solid 34 to finish just three shots back.

Hawkins, aged eight, shot 38 and lost out on a place in his age group final on the cruel countback ruling.