The 61st edition of the Lagos Amateur Open Golf Championship lived up to its rating after Benin-based Emmanuel Ojeabulu emerged champion.
Playing three shots off the pace going into the last 18-hole, Ojeabulu played one of the best golf of his life, maintaining steady pars for a closing 74, three-over the course par to win the World Amateur Golf Ranking recognised event by two shots.
Ojeabulu started his game with an opening 75, a second day score of 78 and a closing 74 to replace Ilorin-based Aminu Kadir, the tournament’s defending champion on the winners list.
George Paul, who was tipped to win the tournament, collapsed under pressure, closing with an unimpressive 79 to lose the two by two-shots.
In the third position was Muyideen Olaitan, three-time winner of the coveted Lagos Open trophy, while Iyare Osaze was further down on the winners chart by one-shot, leaving perennial contender, Olajide Owolabi, who shot tournament’s best score of 72 on day two of the competition, in the fifth position.
Satisfied with the outcome of the three-day event, FirstBank of Nigeria Limited, sponsors of the annual championship, pledged its continuous sponsorship of the tournament and other sporting activities across the country.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the CEO, FirstBank, Adesola Adeduntan, who was represented by Executive Director, Chief Risk Officer of the bank, Olusegun Alebiosu, said because the bank took pride in sports, it would continue to honour its commitment to it.
Golf captain, Tony Oboh, said, “It’s not easy to keep a tournament like this going, I therefore congratulate FirstBank for their commitment.”
