Marta Silva from Santiago de Compostela finished in third position in the prestigious Thunderbird International Junior, a competition held at the Grayhaw Golf Club in Arizona, which is attended by a number of promising players from North America, Australia, and Europe.

Marta Silva totaled 217 strokes over the three days of competition, far behind the winner, American Kimberly Kim, by 11 strokes to be exact, who monopolized the development of the tournament from the beginning thanks, especially, to two outstanding performances in the first and last days, when she presented two cards of 67 strokes unreachable for the rest of her capable rivals.

The Galician golfer gradually adapted to the course as the competition progressed, establishing her characteristic calm and focused game to climb the leaderboard. Seventh on the first day – with a score of 73 – Marta Silva gained three places in the second 18 holes – finishing at even par – before moving up one more place on the final day, where she again finished at even par.

Hampered only by a bogey on the long par 5 of the 4th hole, already on the last day, the Spanish player displayed her best resources at the beginning of the second round, when she signed 3 birdies in 4 holes (on the 10th, the 11th and the 13th), moments of great brilliance that unfortunately did not have continuity in the final part of the course, spoiled slightly by two errors on the 16th and 17th holes that resulted in even par on her card.

Marta Silva's result confirms the good performances of the Spanish women in this competition, with special mention for Belén Mozo's victory in the 2004 edition and Azahara Muñoz's second place in 2005.

FINAL CLASSIFICATION
1.- Kimberly Kim (United States) 206 (67+72+67)
2. Vicky Hurst (United States) 214 (70+74+70)
3.- Marta Silva (SPAIN) 217 (73+72+72