Caption: Chris Richards Jnr. Photo: SportTT

Summary

• Dramatic Comeback: Defending champion Chris Richards Jr overcame a two-stroke deficit on the final day to retain his T&T Golf Open title, edging out St Lucia’s Yadhu Urs by a single stroke.
• Ladies Champion: Jamaica’s Jodi Munn-Barrow successfully defended her title in the Ladies Division, leading from start to finish for a commanding victory.
• Sporting Legends on the Green: The Seniors Division featured appearances by Caribbean sporting icons, with T&T football legend Russell Latapy finishing 10th and West Indies cricket great Brian Lara placing 14th.

DEFENDING champion Chris Richards Jr produced a masterclass in pressure golf on Sunday, storming back from a two-stroke deficit to retain his T&T Golf Open title in a dramatic finish at the St Andrews Golf Club in Moka, Maraval.

The home favourite entered the final round trailing St Lucia’s Yadhu Urs, who held the overnight advantage. However, Richards Jr delivered when it mattered most, carding a composed two-over-par round that featured five birdies. He gradually climbed the leaderboard before making a decisive move late in the day, overtaking the leaders to secure a winning total of five-over-par.

The victory marks Richards Jr’s second consecutive T&T Open crown and extends his remarkable hot streak to three tournament wins in a row, following recent triumphs in the United States.

For Urs, it was a heartbreaking case of what might have been. The St Lucian looked poised to claim the prestigious title after carrying the lead into the final round, but six bogeys proved costly. He slipped back to finish at six-over-par, agonisingly just one stroke adrift of Richards Jr in a tense battle down the stretch.

Behind the leading duo, St Kitts and Nevis’ Adrian Norford produced the round of the day. His superb one-over-par effort catapulted him into third place, finishing at 12-over-par for the tournament. First-round leader Liam Bryden of T&T slipped to fourth, also finishing on 12-over-par, while compatriot Ross Ramkissoon rounded out the top five.

In the Ladies Division, Jamaica’s Jodi Munn-Barrow continued her dominance, successfully defending her title with a commanding performance from start to finish. Munn-Barrow led throughout the tournament, closing with a winning total of 25-over-par.

T&T’s Victoria Seenath finished second at 34-over-par, with compatriot Isabella Ramdeen securing third at 37-over-par. Elise La Borde (44-over-par) and Kahlan Francis (48-over-par) completed the top five, both representing the host nation.

In the lower flights, Adam Green claimed the First Flight title with a score of 29-over-par, while William Bedford and Courtney Edwards shared second place at 33-over-par. T&T’s Nandlal Ramlakhan took the Second Flight crown with a 50-over-par finish, placing ahead of fellow countryman Rafael Rosa and Canada’s Pramie Shadoo, who tied for second at 55-over-par.

Richard Camacho flew the T&T flag high in the Seniors Division, securing the title with an impressive total of 10-over-par. Barbados’ Scott Stollmeyer finished second on 16-over-par, while T&T’s Neil Latchmansingh placed third at 20-over-par. Jamaica’s Mark Newnham claimed fourth at 26-over-par.

The Seniors Division also featured two of the region’s most celebrated sporting icons. T&T football legend Russell Latapy finished 10th at 34-over-par, while West Indies cricket great Brian Lara placed 14th on 36-over-par.

T&T dominated the Super Seniors podium, with John Holley capturing the title at 27-over-par. Wayne Baptiste finished second on 29-over-par, while Hollis George secured third place at 31-over-par, completing an all-Trinidadian top three.

Finally, John Hale took top honours in the Masters Division, finishing ahead of Louis de Mellihac in second and Ahamad Ali in third. (CMC)