From Fisher-Price clubs to national tournaments, West Virginia 8-year-old ranks 5th in US Kids World Tournament

OHIO COUNTY, W.Va. ( WTRF ) — An 8-year-old from Ohio County is in the spotlight.

It’s because Andrew Bieniek has become one of the best golfers in the nation.

During the US Kids World Tournament, one of the biggest competitions in junior golf, Andrew walked away with 5th place.

7News took to the green, where Andrew talked about his love of the sport and how it got him hooked.

Soon to be 3rd grader Andrew Bieniek has been playing golf since he was a toddler.

Now he’s competing on a world stage where he’s putting his talents into full swing.

According to Andrew’s dad, Steven Bieniek, it all began when a Fisher Price golf club was placed in his hands.

We got him a little Fisher-Price golf club and he would go around and hit just about anything that we had. Then when he turned five, he was doing really well and we started enrolling him into US Kids Tournaments.”

Steven Bieniek, Andrew’s dad

This year, the Ohio County local stepped out of the state to compete in the US Kids World Tournament and befriend golfers from around the globe.

Andrew says when it comes to playing, it’s all about having fun.

In Worlds, it’s more like the first drive I want to make it good, but then after that it’s more like pressures off – just go out there, play my game, have fun, be serious, worry about myself.”

Andrew Bieniek, world champion golfer

His dad says he was inspired by the Netflix documentary, The Short Game, a film that features this specific tournament.

Andrew says it was his goal to get top 5 after that.

5th is really good. I beat 90 something kids in the world and I was in first on the first day with two under, then went back to 40 which got me in 8th but then just got even on the last day. When I was walking up to the stage, I had a big smile on my face that whole time.”

Andrew Bieniek, world champion golfer

Andrew says he loves playing, getting to see his buddies, and working hard. He hopes to do this for a long time.

His dad says he and his mom couldn’t be prouder.

As long as he’s having fun and wants to play, we’ll help him out however he wants us to help him out. If he ever says he wants to stop that’s ok with us too.”

Steven Bieniek, Andrew’s dad

Andrew has two tournaments he’s preparing for in the next few months and will be competing in the US Kids World Tournament next year.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTRF.