Dyer is the Rio deal
Raffi Dyer has booked yet another meeting with golf legend Nick Faldo.
The 17-year-old Hayling Island player overcame blustery conditions and a strong field to win the Faldo Series qualifier at Walton Heath.
It's the second year in succession the 0.7-handicapper has won the event.
Her reward - a return to Brazil for the Grand Final and the chance to pick six-time major winner Faldo's brains again.
Played over two days – 18 holes on each day – the tournament came down to the final hole.
After a five-over round on the first day and standing three shots behind the leader, Dyer roared back into contention to pip Welsh international Katherine O'Connor.
Dyer said: 'In the first round I shot five over and had a couple of silly mistakes. But in the second round it came down to the last hole.
'I was playing with the girl who was leading. I was one behind going up the 18th and we both ended up in the same bunker.
'I got up and down and she took a six.'
Now Dyer is gearing up to contest the final in Rio – and she believes the experience of last year will stand her in good stead.
She said: 'Last year in Brazil was fantastic. I came eighth overall which wasn't great, but it was the whole experience of it, seeing Faldo and listening to him do his talks. It was brilliant.
'This time I don't think I'll be as overwhelmed – there won't be as much pressure this time around.'
And the prospect of another coaching clinic from recent Ryder Cup captain Faldo is something Dyer can't wait to experience again.
'I'd never met him before – it was his whole demeanour,' she said.
'He did a masterclass and some of the things he did I was like "blimey".'
The Peter Symonds College pupil's success story did not end with her Faldo Series triumph either. Hot on the heels of sealing her trip to Brazil, Dyer clinched the Hampshire Girls Championship at Alresford.
She said: 'I shot two under in the morning and in the afternoon I shot three over – but I won by 14 shots!'
She added: 'Last year I didn't perform as well as I should have and I start this year and didn't really perform so the England squad decided to let me go.
'It's definitely my goal to get back in the squad, but I think the hard work has started to pay off now.'
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Weather for Portsmouth
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 15 C to 23 C
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