Lopez leads at Buccaneer Memorial Golf Tournament

National Junior Champion Rocco Lopez was in scintillating form on the opening day of the two-day Alliance Buccaneer Memorial Golf Tournament, following his two-under-par 70 at the Caymanas Golf Course.

Lopez, was the only golfer in red numbers in the zero to six category on the day, following two birdies and a bogey on the front nine, followed by three birdies and two bogeys on the back nine.

It was the first round locally for the 16-year-old Lopez, who recently returned to the island after representing his high school in Georgia, USA.

“Just coming back, it’s a big adjustment playing on these types of courses, and I thought I handled it well and I am proud of my result today. I was putting really good today, but my driver was the biggest problem as I wasn’t hitting as many fairways. But my irons really helped me out”, Lopez added.

Defending champion William Knibbs is right in the mix two shots back, following his even-par round of 72. Knibbs had to rally after being six over par on the front nine. The National Amateur champion then showed his true mettle on the back nine, rattling in six birdies, including the 18th and final hole, to finish even par.

UNFORCED ERRORS

“I made a lot of unforced errors on the first 10 holes. I started executing better the last eight holes and ended at even par. So I’m still in the mix, can’t ask for much more,” said Knibbs.

Justin Burrowes round out the top three following his one over par 73, which included five birdies, three bogeys and a double bogey. In the Men’s seven to 12 category, Shamar Wilson currently leads Metry Seaga by one shot, following rounds of 77 and 78, respectively.

Former Cricket West Indies President Dave Cameron is in third place, following his round of nine over par 81.

Robert Chin and Mike Boyd are joint leaders in the Super Seniors category, following rounds of 78. Michele McCreath’s round of 84 currently leads the Women’s zero to 12 category.