A professional golfer has created history as the youngest ever to have completed the Professional Golf Association’s Director of Golf degree.

Katie Rule, aged 24, from Falmouth, completed her first degree last year at the University of Birmingham in sport and exercise sciences in Professional golf and Katie will be returning to Birmingham University Great Hall later this month to collect her post graduate degree.

“Completing the Director of Golf degree, like any degree, was a lot of hard work and it is a very challenging course to complete. Just like golf you have to be dedicated to it," said Katie, who is also the first from Cornwall to have achieved the qualification.

"It has given me such confidence on how to perform within the golf environment and has created a positive impact for the golf club as well. The key is time management, you still have to allow time for work, coaching, practice and tournament play.

"But to have the opportunity to complete this degree at my age is highly rewarding, it’s great to know that I now have the highest qualification to further my career within golf,” she added.

Katie is currently working at Mullion Golf Club partnering a pro shop business and delivering high standards of golf tuition.

Katie is currently Cornwall Girls Head Performance Coach and has been providing monthly training sessions for them at Mullion Golf Club.

“We cover all aspects of golf imaginable to ensure we get the best performance from their game. The important time to train is winter and I am very much looking forward to seeing what they can produce in competitions this season.”

Katie has been known for her success in golf since the age of 13 competing in county, regional and national events and then turning professional in 2012 at the age of 19.

Katie now competes on the Women's PGA Tour which travels around Britain.

Last year Katie came second in the order of merit and has been top five for the last three years. The first tournament for Katie’s season this year was held at The Berkshire last Monday, where Katie won by four shots.

“It’s great to start the season with a win. I hope to go one better this year in the Ladies Order of Merit”.

There are seven competitions within this tour and Katie will also be playing in the Ladies British Open pre-qualifier and Ladies Titleist and Footjoy Championship this summer. Katie is regularly invited to a Ladies European Access Tour event which is held in September.