FARNHAM golfer Mark Thompson has qualified for the final of the American Golf UK Long Drive Championship following a mighty 389-yard drive in the U45 category regional qualifying.

Thompson, 34, a former Edgborough and Alton College student, who works as a greenkeeper at Richmond Golf Club, was one of over 5000 budding long drivers who entered the event that is run by golf retailer American Golf.

He now lines up against the best long drivers in the UK at Heythrop Park in Oxfordshire on August 4, where he will battle it out for the national title and the only UK U45 qualifying spot for the World Championships in Oklahoma.