Defending champion Andrew Arft is ready to tee off in pursuit of a consecutive Jamaica Open title as he begins his campaign on Sunday at the Tryall Golf Club. If successful, Arft would become the first player since Russ Cochran in 2011 and 2012 to claim back-to-back victories at the prestigious event.

After playing in the Pro-Am tournament on Saturday, Arft shared his comfort with the Tryall course, noting that the layout feels familiar. “I feel really well. I was out on the course today, just remembering the course and seeing it,” he said. “It kind of feels comfortable on the tee shots, and I had a great Pro-Am group from Palladium. They kept it light and fun, which was great.”

Despite a few changes in course conditions compared to last year, Arft expects the challenge to remain formidable. “It’s going to be windy. The course is wet compared to last year, which was firmer,” he observed. “It’s a give and take thing. The course might play a bit easier since the balls won’t bounce everywhere, but we won’t get as much roll on the fairways, so there’ll be longer shots in. Less balls will bounce into tricky spots, but it will still play just as hard as last year, just in a different way.”

Arft also highlighted that it’s the welcoming atmosphere of Jamaica that motivated him to return. “It’s more of the people than anything. The golf course is top notch and I love it, but right when I step foot in the airport – different type of niceness around here,” Arft remarked. “Everyone is really cordial and laidback, and I definitely feed off the people’s energy. When I have good people around me, I feel good as well.”

As Arft prepares to defend his title, he’ll be leaning on his familiarity with Tryall’s unique challenges and the supportive environment that Jamaica offers, aiming to add his name to the short list of champions who have won the Jamaica Open in consecutive years.

 Team Palladium emerged victorious in the Pro-Am tournament ahead of the 57th Jamaica Open Golf Championship at Tryall Golf Club on Saturday, outplaying 19 other teams to claim the top spot. Each team in the competition comprised three amateur golfers paired with one professional, making for an exciting lead-up to the official championship.

Led by pro golfer Scott Milum, Team Palladium, which included amateurs Carlyle Hudson, Diane Hudson, and George Hugh, scored an impressive 51.25 points, finishing exactly two points ahead of the runners-up.

Reflecting on the win and his first experience in Jamaica, Milum shared his enthusiasm for the course and the hospitality at Tryall. “It is an awesome place to play. It’s my first time actually in Jamaica as well, so playing in the Pro-Am, playing the tournament this week I am looking forward to it. The area is beautiful, and the resort here takes really good care of us, getting us to and from the golf course. Everyone we met so far has been phenomenal,” he said.

The second-place team, led by pro golfer Joshua Seales, finished with a score of 53.25 points. Not far behind, the team led by pro Patrick Coles claimed third place with 53.375 points.

Jamaica Fibre Glass Products took the corporate title with a score of 55.25 points, thanks to the combined efforts of team members Metry Seaga, Mike Glieckman, Andre Foote, and Marcus Mohn.

In the “Closest to the Pin” contest, three golfers earned recognition: Benjamin Martin on hole two, Wayne Chai Chong on hole four, and Chris McLean on hole 10.

With the Pro-Am tournament now complete, attention turns to the main event. The three-day 57th Jamaica Open will tee off on Sunday, November 10, at 8:00 a.m., with defending champion Andrew Arft set to begin his title defense at 10:40 a.m.