EIGHT-year-old Jakob Venables is getting ready to tee up for his country after qualifying for the IMG Academy Junior World Championships.

The Shrivenham Primary School pupil booked his trip to San Diego at the British Junior Golf Tour IMG Junior World Championship Qualifier.

With the winner having already qualified, Jakob, who finished three shots behind with a score of 45 in his first nine-hole round and 44 in his second round at Hoebridge Golf Centre, qualified for the tournament which starts on July 10.

“We were surprised and shocked because we didn’t think he was going having finished second,” said mum Steph.

“We got an email from the organiser the next day to say congratulations and I was convinced that they had got it wrong.

“When we realised it wasn’t a mix-up, then it was all systems go.

“It is a big field that are going out, with more than 100 players in his age group, so it is going to be quite a challenge.

“He will be playing on courses that play a lot faster than they do here, so it will be quite a different game and it will be a big learning curve.

“Looking ahead, it would be nice to see him playing for the county.”

Jakob began playing golf when he was only four after a round of crazy golf when visiting his nan before getting coaching from Lee Hayward at Broome Manor Golf Club.

He has gone on to win numerous local competitions, including the Hills Wiltshire Junior Open in both 2014 and 2015 in his respective age group categories.

“This is an amazing achievement for young Jakob, who I coach in my super advanced group,” said Hayward.

“Jakob is really dedicated and his parents are so supportive. They literally live at Broome Manor.

“He deserves this opportunity to shine with the best in the world and I understand that over 1000 children will be playing in this World Championships.

“This will give him huge amounts of experience, in which I am confident he will use in his bright future in golf.”

Jakob flies out on July 8 before an opening ceremony on the 10th and a practice round on the 11th before three days of golf over par three and four courses at Oaks North Golf Course.