Benjamin Martin of Trinidad and Tobago clinched his first title at the 57th Jamaica Open Golf Championship, held at the scenic Tryall Golf Course in Sandy Bay, Hanover, from Sunday, November 10, to Tuesday, November 12. Martin, who held a shared lead on day two with Mac McLear, maintained his composure on the final day, ultimately pulling ahead to secure a one-stroke victory.

Martin’s final round featured five birdies, two bogeys, and a double bogey, finishing with a one-under-par 71 for a cumulative three-day score of seven-under-par 209. Reflecting on his hard-fought victory, Martin said, “It was good. I didn’t quite have my A game today, but coming down the stretch, there was a good birdie on 16 and 17, so that was nice. I am very proud to be a champion here at the Jamaica Open. I came close twice with a third and a fourth, and I am happy to get it over the line and win this time.”

Close on Martin’s heels was Canada’s Jacob Lehman, who finished in second place with a score of six-under-par 210. The UK’s Mac McLear and France’s Pierre Viallneix shared third place, each ending with a five-under-par 211. Defending champion Andrew Arft of the United States struggled on the final day, finishing tenth at six-over-par 222.

Among Jamaican golfers, Justin Burrowes was the best-placed local pro, finishing ninth with a total score of 219. Burrowes expressed satisfaction with his performance but acknowledged room for improvement. “It was a good finish, but I would have wanted a better finish today. I shot three over but feel like I easily left three or four shots out there. Overall, I’d say it’s a pretty good performance—something to build on—and this is a tournament that I really want to win at some point in time,” Burrowes remarked.

Sebert Walker Jr., another top Jamaican finisher, placed 17th with a score of 229. Reflecting on his performance, Walker said, “It was a good event. Obviously, I could have played better. I wanted to be in the top 10 or whatever they paid out regularly, but it was a good finish nonetheless, so I can’t complain.”

In the senior categories, Canada’s Allan McLean led the senior pro division with a score of 212, while Trinidad and Tobago’s Wayne Baptiste emerged victorious in the senior amateur section with a score of 235.

Jamaica Golf Association (JGA) President Jodi Munn-Barrow was thrilled with the successful outcome of the tournament. “We are so grateful. We had more players than expected, and they all came down. It was three thrilling days of golf. Benjamin Martin, our winner, had to get up and down on 18 to win by a shot, so we could not have wanted a better outcome. We are very grateful that the weather held out as well, and we were once again able to stage a very successful Jamaica Open.”

Scott Summy of Aqua Bay, a major sponsor, along with new sponsor Vybwear, echoed the sentiments of excitement. “I think it’s been great. Obviously, this is our fifth year, and we are very happy with the tournament. We love the Jamaica Open Golf Tournament and part of what we like is the beauty of Tryall, the beauty of Jamaica, the beauty of the people, and seeing competitors from all over the world come and compete in the Jamaica Open.”

Martin’s victory, sealed in a thrilling final day, marks a memorable chapter in the storied history of the Jamaica Open and sets the stage for even greater achievements in the future.

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.

American Andrew Arft led all three days to capture the 56th Jamaica Open Golf Championship at the Tryall Golf Course in Hanover.

Arft posted scores of six under par 66, even par 72, and one under par 71, for a combined score of seven under par 209. He expressed pleasure with the win while giving credit to his caddy Jason Richards for helping him to win the event on his first attempt.

He also pointed out that his late decision to enter the championship was justified, as he pocketed the US$20,000 top prize.

Second place went to Dominic Piccirillo, who was just one shot back on 210. He posted under par scores of 71, 71 and 68 for all three days, while Josh Anderson was relegated to third place on 211 along with Blake Wagoner (72,70, 69).

The top six golfers in the professional category are all Americans.

Jamaica's Sean Morris roared back from second place on the second day to take the amateur section ahead of Oshae Haye. They were joint leaders on the first day.

Morris ended on 17 over par 233 (75, 82, 76), while Haye was two strokes back on 235 (75, 78, 82). Junior player Trey Williams grabbed third place on 245 (78, 81, 82).

Chris Richards of Trinidad & Tobago won the Senior Pro section for the second year running with a total score of two over par 218 (70, 76, 72). Second went to Canada's Kent Fukushima on 222 (74, 78, 70), while Jamaica's Ian Campbell was third on 240 (80, 79, 81).

The final category, the Senior Amateur section went to Canada's Robert Sterling who had a combined score of 244 for the three days. Jamaica's Dr. Mark Newnham and Dr. William Lee were second and third with scores of 245 and 250, respectively.

The day-two leaders in the four categories of the 56th Jamaica Open Golf Championship are from four different countries, making it truly an international tournament. The open is being played at the Tryall Golf Club which is just a short distance from the Grand Palladium Hotel in Hanover, the official hotel and sponsor of the championship.

American pro golfer Andrew Arft maintained his leading position after scoring an even par 72 for a two-day score of six under par 138. His lead was however cut to two from six on the first day by countryman Ryan Sullivan, who posted the lowest score on the second day. 

Sullivan scored a six under par 66 for a combined score of 140.

Jamaica's Oshae Haye took over the lead for the amateur section from Sean Morris. His two-day total of 157 came on the back of 75 and 82, on day one and two respectively. Morris was four strokes back on 153.

Trinidad and Tobago's Chris Richards took his day one lead into day two, for a combined total of 146, after posting two under par 70 on the first day, and four over par 76 on the second day, in the Senior Professional category. Canada's Kent Fukushima was in second place on 152.

The final section, for Senior Amateurs showed Canada's Robert Sterling in the lead. His two-day total of 161 came on the back of 12 over par 84 on day one and five over par 77 on day two. Jamaica's Dr. Mark Newnham was in second place on 164 (88 and 76).

The last group of the day all birdied hole number 18 to the delight of the gallery who appreciated the display. The group members were Andrew Arft, Josh Anderson and Chris Richards.

The USA's Andrew Arft is at the top of the leaderboard at the end of the first day of the 56th Jamaica Open Golf Championship at the Tryall Golf Club in Hanover.

The American show a six-under-par 66 to enjoy a three-shot lead heading to Tuesday’s second day. Josh Anderson, also of the USA, is second after shooting a 69 and he is followed by Trinidad & Tobago's Chris Richards, who shot 70.

Defending champion Patrick Cover was further back after shooting 73 saying afterwards that he expects to be better in the rounds ahead. Wesley Brown, the highest placed local professional shot one over par 73.

Justin Burrowes and Sebert Walkert Jr who both turned pro at the championship posted scores of 10 over par 82 and five over par 77, respectively. Former national representatives Sean Morris and Oshae Haye both shot three over par 75 to be joint leaders in the amateur section while junior golfer Trey Williams scored five over par 78 for the first round.