Golf: Cleckheaton's Welsh Open champion Gina Simpson is making her mark in America.

The 23-year-old former Bradford Ladies champion has moved up to 19th in the US Collegiate rankings after another tremendous finish to a PING/ASU Invitational tournament.

Gina, whose parents Geoff and Anne were in California to see her latest performance, is currently 18 months into a four-year business studies course at San Jose State University.

She had already recorded two runners-up finishes against strong opposition, but her second place in the 54-hole competition on the Arizona State University campus was easily her best achievement.

A final round of one-under-par 71 was matched by current Collegiate ranked No 1 Grace Park, who won the event by two strokes with a total of 219.

Gina was two strokes ahead of Curtis Cup player Beth Bauer and a further shot in front of Jenny Chausiriporn, who was only beaten in a play-off for the USLPGA title last year.

Following a second place in the SISU Spartan Invitational, Gina has moved up to her best ranking so far.

Her father Geoff said: "It was particularly pleasing to be out there when she had one of her best results so far.

"She went out there for the chance to improve her golf against high- class opposition and because of the weather. Yet ironically it was only 58 degrees on the first two days, but then 87 degrees on the final day.

"It was a particularly good performance in view of the strength of the opposition in this event. There are good players from all over the world taking part, including Swedes and Germans, as well as Ameri-cans."

Gina will be back in this country at the end of May and plans to defend her Welsh Open title as part of a busy summer programme.

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