RISHTON golf ace Steven McGlynn has set his sights on the professional game after making a storm stateside.

The 21-year-old returned to East Lancashire last month after fine-tuning his game at the prestigious Indian Hills Community College in Iowa.

Following in the footsteps of leading British golfers Luke Donald and Paul Casey, both graduates of American universities, McGlynn served a two-year scholarship in the US midwest and chalked up a string of awards and tournament victories.

The Blackburn Golf Club member made himself at home in the States, winning six individual events and scoring a top 10 place in the highest-ranked Mens Collegiate Golf Championship.

He maintained his position as Indian Hills’ number one star with his inclusion in Ping’s All-American Teams for 2008 and 2009, a selection that honours the best college golfers in the calendar year.

“I wish I could have been number one in the national championship, but I couldn’t have asked for anything more,” said McGlynn, a former student at St Augustine’s RC High School in Billington.

“It was a great experience. I don’t regret anything of my time in America – I gave it everything.

“I started off a bit shaky because I was away from home and everything was new to me. But I settled down and really enjoyed my golf.

“There was a lot of pressure on me. I wasn’t just playing for myself but for the team and college. Everyone turns out at the 18th green – they really make a big deal out of it.”

McGlynn, who took up the golf at the age of eight, returned to America this winter for a further two months’ practice at the Payne Stewart Golf Club in Branson, Missouri.

And while honing his skills on meticulous courses across the Atlantic pond, the former Harold Ryden Trophy champions admits the winning mentality of US-based golfers proved a real eye-opener.

“Americans tell themselves that they can beat anybody and that they’re the best,” said McGlynn. “It may not be true, but they tell themselves that anyway!

“It’s one of the reasons Tiger Woods is ahead of the rest. It’s not cockiness, it’s just inner-belief.”

For now, McGlynn is determined to put his scholarship into practice during the English season before another possible stint in America later this year.

He returned the second best amateur score at The Players Tour event at St Annes Old Links last week and will represent Lancashire ‘B’ during their battle against Cheshire at Sale on April 24.

A decision on whether he turns professional is unlikely to be made until the end of the 2010 calendar but McGlynn sees it as the natural progression for his blossoming career.

He said: “I’m going to play this year out and see where it takes me.

“I’ve not played in England for a while and I want to enjoy it before making any decision.

“If I can compete with professionals on a regular basis, then I’ll look to turn professional within the next couple of years.”