WORKING two jobs hasn’t stopped Megan Garland becoming one of Britain’s top strokeplay golfers.

The Selby GC ace put in a remarkable display of ball striking at Moortown GC last week to finish 12th in the Ladies’ British Open Amateur Strokeplay Championship.

Garland shot rounds of 76, 72, 76 and 77 at the difficult Leeds course to soar towards the top of the leaderboard in an event which saw some of the world’s most promising amateur lady golfers go head-to-head over 72 holes.

The 22-year-old had 12 birdies and two eagles across the week and played the par fives in an impressive six-under-par. After easily making the midway cut of 40 and ties, she finished the tournament overall in five-over-par.

Now, buoyed by her display in a top class field where India’s Aditi Ashok took the title, Garland, who works in a pub and at Sandburn Hall GC in Flaxton, has earned a plus one handicap and is keen to take her good form into the Birkdale Scratch on Friday.

“It was good,” Garland said of her performance. “I had a lesson with (Sandburn Hall head professional) Steve Robinson the Sunday before and then I had a practice round on the Monday.

“I was really nervous because I haven’t been practising much. I have just been constantly working. I was pretty worried about the week but my lesson went really well.

“He told me to keep it simple and I went there and it was great. My putting was bad.

“I had 16 three putts in four rounds. But I was really pleased with the way I finished and I got down to plus one. It’s the lowest I have ever been.”

She added: “I started off my third round brilliantly. I went into a bunker on the left of the first. I only just got it out and then I had 177 yards in and I holed it.

“I started off with an eagle. It’s the longest shot I have ever holed. I didn’t even see it go in.”

Garland, who spent four years playing the college system in the United States, made the cut earlier this summer in the Ladies British Open Amateur Championship at Portstewart and will target the biggest amateur events again next summer.

On how she fits in her practice with two jobs, Garland added: “I practise on an evening, in the garden, doing a bit of chipping and putting. I try and get a day off in a week.

“I usually go after work. Sometimes I am on until 10pm so I don’t get to go but then I will go in the morning - early at around 7am.

“I want to continue playing at amateur level and playing for myself as I have been in the States for four years. Playing as a team there is a lot different. I really enjoyed it but it has been nice to play for myself this summer. I want to win another title.

“We will see how the future pans out. I wanted to see where I was going this summer and I have proved a lot to myself - comparing myself against other girls who want to turn pro.

“I have got two more events left this season. I am playing at Birkdale and then I am playing at Fulford on September 2.

“Hopefully I can keep progressing.”