JAMAICA OPEN Stackhunas storms to early lead

HANOVER, Jamaica:

American Tyler Stackhunas fired a blistering seven-under-par 65 to seize the opening-round lead at the Jamaica Open, held at the challenging Tryall Golf Club on Saturday.

Under sunny skies and near-perfect conditions, Stackhunas showcased precision off the tee and a hot putter, carding a bogey-free front nine.

“Feel really good. I was hitting driver really well today,” Stackhunas said. “I got some putts to go in early, which is good to see.”

The American came out of the gates on fire, birdieing the first three holes, including a difficult second hole.

He continued his assault with birdies on the sixth, seventh and eighth, making the turn at seven-under-par before bogeying the ninth.

He added further birdies on the 13th and 16th holes before calmly parring the final two to sit alone atop the leaderboard.

Despite his low score, Stackhunas acknowledged the challenge of the course, particularly around the greens.

“Chipping was a little difficult for me, just trying to figure out if the ball was going to run out or not,” he noted. “But got some putts to fall, and late in the round, too, so it felt good.”

Hot on his heels is his close friend and compatriot, Nicholas Estrada, who signed for a six-under-par 66.

Estrada’s round was a bit more erratic early on, with two bogeys and a birdie in his first three holes, but he caught fire to close out the front nine and added five more birdies on the back.

“The one guy who’s one shot behind me is one of my close friends. So we’re going to be battling it out,” Stackhunas remarked. “We’ve been battling it out for 20 years now, so it’ll be a fun next two days.”

Caymanian Justin Hastings is tied with Estrada for second after also posting a 66. Hastings had a spectacular front nine, highlighted by an eagle on the par-five 8th, and finished the day with six birdies.

American John Baptiste Hakizimana sits alone in fourth after a solid two-under-par 70, while Cougar Collins from Canada and Mac McClear from the US are tied for fifth following rounds of one-under-par 71.

Local hope Justin Burrowes, an overseas-based pro, is right in the mix after an even-par opening round.

Burrowes, who bogeyed the 18th, remained optimistic about his chances.

“It’s hard to predict a score, but I feel like I’m playing well, and as long as I put myself in the right spots and the putter cooperates, I feel like I’m playing well enough to shoot good scores,” he said.

Defending champion Benjamin Martin of Trinidad & Tobago had a tough start, finishing the day at three-over-par and tied for 15th.

In the amateur division, American Nicholas Neal took the early lead after a one-over-par 73, holding a one-shot advantage over Jamaica’s Oshae Haye (+2). Barbados’ Xaavier Wiggins is third at three-over-par.

The Senior Pro section is led by Allan McLean, who carded an impressive five-under-par round, while Edward Atwill tops the Senior Amateur leaderboard at four-over-par.