When I was 14 years old I spent my Sundays kicking a football around the park and doing last-minute homework for school on Monday morning (admittedly far more of the prior than the latter). My parents always said I should be doing something more productive with my time, but what can a 14-year-old kid really do that's so productive? Well... apparently they can win professional golf tournaments!

Attaya Thitikul was just 14 years, 4 months and 19 days old when she won the Ladies European Thailand Championship in her homeland. The amateur Thai teenager became the youngest ever winner of a professional golf tournament yesterday (9th July 2017) when she claimed a two-shot victory over Mexico's Ana Menendez. Thitikul's score of -5 raised plenty of eyebrows as she arrived, through her own admission, with the intention of learning from the best rather than targeting the top prize. The Thai teen claimed she "didn't expect to win" and only competed to "learn techniques from the pro players".

Whilst you would forgive the young golfer for getting a little carried away, her grounded nature shone through as she discussed her plans to delay turning professional in order to gain more experience before taking the leap.

Due to her amateur status, Thitikul was not eligible for the 45,000 euros prize money (which went to runner-up Ana Menenez instead), although I'm sure she won't struggle to attract sponsors by the time she does decide to turn professional

It's easy to slap labels like 'promising', 'up-and-coming' or 'future star' on a young golfer showing signs of great potential, but a 14-year-old winning a professional European golf tournament exceeds any praising platitude or banal superlative we can throw her way.

Flash in the pan or future superstar? Who knows? Who cares? This is a historic moment for golf and one that Atthaya Thitikul can treasure for the rest of her life.

Congratulations, Atthaya Thitikul!

Written by Joe Carabini

joe.carabini@foremostgolf.com