American Arft shows early form to lead Jamaica Open

TRYALL, Hanover

On an opening day when only seven of 53 golfers got into red numbers, American Andrew Arft found some good early touch as his six under par 66 led the 56th staging of the Jamaica Open at Tryall, following day one action.

The Orlando-based golfer Arft, who flew into the island on Saturday and had little practice time, used his experience on the front nine to rack up five straight birdies after an opening hole par.

Arft would also birdie hole number eight to make the turn at six under par after which he chalked up another birdie on hole 11 to go seven under par and looking imperious.

Bogeys on holes 12 and 14 dropped the American back to five under par, but a birdie on hole 15 ensured that there was no more blemish as Arft took control on day one following a generally tough outing for the golfers.

“The round was awesome, and I really enjoyed it. My caddie was great all day, and I love the golf course and the holes on the water, and that back nine stretch is quite a test of golf,” said Arft.

Compatriot and last year’s runner-up Josh Anderson is once again in the mix as his three-under-par 69 sees him in second place followed by four players who are tied for third with a one-under-par round of 71.

Americans Bradley Arrington and Logan Bryant will be hoping to improve on those one-under-par numbers on today’s second day along with Canadian Allan McLean and American Dominic Piccirillo who had four birdies on the front nine and three on the back and as looking good at five under par before two bogeys and two double bogeys pegged back his round.

St Ann-based Wesley Brown is once again the best-placed Jamaican following his one-over-par round of 73 which sees him lying tied for 10th. Debutant Jamaican professional golfer Seebert Walker Jr shrugged off a tough start to register four birdies in his round to finish with a score of five over par 77 which is good enough for 19th place. Compatriot Orville Christie’s eight over par 90 sees him in 22nd position while the other debutant professional, Justin Burrowes, had a torrid opening day as his six bogeys and two double bogeys were only good enough for a score of 10 over par 82 and tied for 25th place.

“I think it is the most nerves I have felt on a golf course in a while. It was crazy, and it didn’t feel real for the first three or four holes,” said Burrowes.

In the meantime, veteran Sean Morris has company at the top of the amateur standings as both golfers shot three-over-par opening rounds of 75.

Junior Trey Williams is in third place following an impressive showing of six over par 78.

Trinidadian Chris Richards leads the senior professional section following his two under par 70 while Canadian Robert Sterling leads the senior amateurs after his round of 12 over par 84.