Darina Betschart produced a top-20 display at the prestigious Optimist International Junior Golf Championship held at Trump Doral Golf Club in Miami, Florida.

Competing in the girls’ 13-14-year-old division, Betschart finished tied for seventeenth among a field of 57.

The 13-year-old got her campaign off to poor start, struggling with the course’s plethora of water hazards on the way to an opening round of 85, 13 over par.

Better fortunes awaited Betschart on day two with a three-over 75, one of the lower rounds of the day, moving her up to fourteenth place.

However, she was unable to build on the momentum in the final round, with a 79 bringing her three-day total to 239, 23 over.

The tournament proved to be a valuable learning experience for Betschart, who is looking forward to returning next year.

"This is one of the biggest tournaments I’ve played in, and I learnt a lot,” she said.

“I met many new friends from all over the world and am looking forward to competing again next year.”

Reflecting on her rounds, she added: “The course has a lot of water hazards, which I had trouble with the first day. I shot really well the second day and putted great.

“I couldn’t get my putter working on the third day, but finished strong with a birdie on 18.”

Mexican Natalia Nava pipped Peruvian rival Kaori Arce for the girls’ 13-14 title by a solitary shot, with Chilean Manuela Aceves rounding off the podium in third, a farther two shots back.