Chigwell golfer Sophie Madden added the Under-15 English Girl’s Championship to her ever growing list of competition wins with a one shot victory at Delamere Forest.

A par final round from the 15-year-old saw her overcome Alice Hewson, of Hertfordshire who fell away in the final nine holes.

Madden was firmly in contention throughout the championship, occupying second place after the first three rounds.

However, she set out on the final round three shots behind Hewson, who was sitting top of the leaderboard.

The West Essex Golf Club and Abridge Golf club member drifted further back with three early bogeys and she reached the turn six shots adrift.

But a fine back nine meant her final two-under par round was enough for her to secure the narrowest of wins.

Madden follows club member Gabriella Cowley in taking the national title and was pleased to have emulated her friend’s achievement.

"I wanted to follow in Gabby’s footsteps, we are really close friends and from the same club, so it’s great," said Madden.

Her father David stated that despite his daughter being six shots behind on the final round, he still believed she had a chance of taking victory.

"You never say never, especially after what happened to Adam Scott at the Open. She took it just one shot at a time and she came back brilliantly to win."

Having taken victory at the English Under-13 championship two years ago and last season winning the East region girls’ title and the US Kids world championship, Madden has this year focused on her schoolwork.

Her father believes she is balancing the workload well.

"The older you get it does affect you more because of the time you have to put into to the schoolwork. Her grades are important because she wants to go to university in America and several universities such as UCLA, Stamford and Duke have shown an interest and would help her golf as well."

Madden was introduced to golf by her grandfather at the age of eight and is now trained by England coach Keith Wood.

She has also received tips from Ian Poulter and won the Ian Poulter invitational competition last month.

Her ambition is to play in the Women’s PGA Tour and the possibility of moving to America is something that would undoubtedly help her achieve that goal.

"Going to American wouldn’t happen until she is 18, so there are still three years before that. We will see where she is at that time and how good she is. But I think that it would be good for her," said David.