Ryan breaks records in a first career win

Dudley-born Cornfield, who plays at Enville Golf Club in Dudley when he's in England, is on a golf scholarship at the University of South Carolina Upstate.

He sealed a three-shot victory in the Furman Intercollegiate Tournament at the Furman golf course to celebrate his 22nd birthday in style, shooting a three-under-par final round of 69 – having led overnight – to pick up the victory.

His final score of 13 under par tying the tournament record for best winning score.

Cornfield had topped the leaderboard going into the final day, after a stunning round of 64 gave him a one-shot

lead.

That round broke Cornfield's own school record which he set last year at the Camden Collegiate Invitational.

After an up-and-down final round, Cornfield was tied with eventual runner-up Andrew Novak heading into the last three holes.

Back-to-back birdies to finish the round sealed the victory for Cornfield.

Speaking after his win, Cornfield said: "I didn't do any scoreboard watching in the final round.

"I knew how many good players were in this tournament and I knew any one of them could beat me.

"I just wanted to stay aggressive and I didn't want to know any other scores."

Cornfield is studying for a degree in psychology while at USC Upstate, and said he was nervous going into the final round.

He said: "The night before was the longest night of my life.

"I had never slept on the lead before and I was antsy. I couldn't wait to get to the golf course."

His performance led the USC Upstate Spartans to third place, their best finish of the season, and Cornfield admitted to having been hopeful of success heading into the competition.

He said: "I felt like I could win this event before it started.

"I was confident, but I came out and double-bogeyed the very first hole. I didn't let it get my down and I played the next 53 holes at 15 under par.

"I trusted my own abilities this tournament and stayed patient enough to

win.

Cornfield's coach at USC Upstate, Todd Lawton, was delighted at the performance.

He said: "To win with a lead is always special and extremely difficult.

"Ryan slept on a great round, came out today and did what I thought was even better considering the pressure.

"Records fell today and that is a good thing."

This was Cornfield's first solo success having been named co-champion at the Kiawah Classic in November 2014.

That win came at the end of a successful year for Cornfield, who in June of 2014 won the Berkshire Trophy.

Previous winners of the event include major winner and former European Ryder Cup captain Nick Faldo and current PGA Tour professional Ross Fisher.

Cornfield was selected for a scholarship after a number of outstanding performances in his time at Ellowes Hall Sports College in Dudley.

He had six tournament victories in his two years at Ellowes Hall, winning the West Midlands League Championships with Staffordshire, Enville Junior Order and the King George IV Trophy in his first 12 months. He repeated the success in 2011, winning the Staffordshire Boys Amateur Championship, Staffordshire Boys Open Championship and the British Colleges Sport West Midlands region.

He qualified in 10th for the British Boys Championship in 2012, going on to finish tied for seventh in the stroke-play portion of the event.

After moving to America, Cornfield was named the Freshman of the Year at USC Upstate and has been selected in the All-A-Sun Second Team twice.

He led the Spartans to a fourth place finish at the A-Sun Championships last April, the best finish at the tournament in the school's history.