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.

Patrick Cover of the USA shot a final-round 70 to win the 55th Jamaica Open Jamaica Open Golf Championship at the Tryall Golf Club in Sandy Bay, Hanover on Tuesday.

Cover, the 2019 champion, won by four strokes ahead of Josh Anderson (USA) and 2021 champion Michael Maguire (USA) placing third, a further one stroke back. He led on all three days with scores of 64, 69 and 70 for an overall score of 13 under par 203.

"It’s great.  I love coming down to Jamaica.  I love this golf course and I plan to come back for as long as I can,” he said. “It’s a great tournament."

Cover said despite being the leader on all three days, winning the tournament proved to be challenging. "MJ (Michael Maguire) played extremely well. He made it really hard on me,” Cover said.

“I think he was eight under through 11 holes and I wasn't playing as good as I was the last two days but I was playing okay, but he erased that lead really quickly even through the first five holes that lead was almost already gone so it got more interesting.  I am just glad I finished it out.  (I) played pretty well coming in."

Anderson, meanwhile, had scores of 72, 70 and 65 for an overall total of 207.  Maguire shot 69, 71 and 68 (208) and was pleased with his play on the final day.

"I played great today.  Starting seven shots back, you never really expected…you want to play to win but in the back of your mind you’re thinking like maybe I'll play for second but once I turned at seven under I  knew I had a chance coming down the back nine. I had fun out there.  It was good to be in contention so it was a good day."

 Wesley Brown, who finished tied for 15th was the best placed Jamaican in the field after scores of 69, 77 and 73.

“Hugely disappointed. Knowing that I had it going, plus 13 on the back nine alone and that's not good playing professional golf.  I gave away a lot,” he lamented.

Jamaica's Justin Burrowes topped the amateurs with scores of 76, 70 and 73 for 219. He ended the tournament with a birdie putt. "That was a really good putt.  That was all my caddy honestly.  He just gave me a really good line and he has been giving me really good lines all week and I just hit a really good putt with really good speed and it went in so I give all the credit to my caddy for that one,” he said.  "Overall, I am pleased with my game.  I feel like there is something to build on and its always an honour to win so happy about that too."

Jamaican's Zandre Roye and William Knibbs were second and third respectively with scores of 222 (76, 74,72) and 226 (78, 76, 72), respectively.

 Dwayne Pearman (220), David Morland (226) and Danny King (230) were the top three among the Senior Professionals.

 Owen Samuda - 237 (76, 84, 77), and Dr. Mark Newnhan - 242 (80, 81, 81) while Robert Sterling of Canada was third - 253 (84, 85, 84) were the top three amateurs.

The USA’s Patrick Cover stormed in an early lead at the end of Sunday’s first round of play at the 55 Jamaica Open Golf Tournament at the Tryall Golf Club in Sandy Bay, Hanover.