Shropshire teenage golfer Molly Barker represents UK in Malaysia

Molly, who plays off a 13 handicap, has flown out for the Kids' Golf World Championship hosted at Saujana Golf and Country Club and Glenmarie Golf and Country Club in Kuala Lumpur, which starts on Monday.

The 13-year-old's eighth-placed finish in her age group category in the recent European Championships held in East Lothian drew her to the attention of organisers.

More than 250 youngsters will tee off on December 4, mostly from the host country and Indonesia. The USA only have a minor represenation at the event.

Shrewsbury High School pupile Molly only picked up a driver three years ago. But it is in the last 18 months she has really begun to make her mark competitively thanks to expert one-to-one coaching from Matt Lea at Horsehay Village Golf Club.

She slashed her handicap by 17 shots in a year while reaching the final of the EWGA Abraham Trophy for the most improved under-18 golfer.

And her 2012 trophy haul has included several junior open wins, while she is the Shropshire and Herefordshire Peewee Tour holder in the under-13 age group.

Mother Sally said: "Molly is out all day on the course in the summer, but even now in the winter she manages to get in over 10 hours a week of coaching and practice.

"It's a real honour for her to represent the UK in the World Championships."

Molly, also a member at Shifnal Golf Club, said: "My aim is to get my handicap down to single figures within the next two years."