Hastings pleased with course record-equalling Tryall champs win
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HANOVER, Jamaica:
Justin Hastings of the Cayman Islands produced a controlled, record-equalling performance to win the 58th Jamaica Open Golf Championship at Tryall Golf Course on Tuesday, closing on 12-under-par 204 to cement his place among the youngest champions in the event’s history.
Hastings, who sat one shot off the lead after the opening round and moved into a share of first place after round two, pulled away from a strong field in the final round to secure the title.
He opened with a six-under-par 66 to equal the course record, added a three-under-par 69 and closed with another 69 to finish on 204.
“It’s super cool to hear that I equalled the record. I had no idea, to be totally honest, but yeah, it was a great week. I felt like I was kind of in control all week and then coming down the stretch there with the weather, it got a little bit weird, but yeah, happy to get it done in the end,” said a pleased Hastings.
He also praised Tryall as a true championship test.
“The course was amazing. It provides so many different decisions for you to have to make, which I think is a property of a really good golf course. It’s going to reward good shots, but it’s really going to punish bad shots. I just think that’s what makes a golf course really, really good and a real championship test; so yeah, I really enjoyed my time here this week.”
American Tyler Stachkunas, the first-round leader, recovered from a second-round slide to finish second on nine-under-par 207. He posted the championship’s lowest round, a seven-under-par 65, on the opening day. Fellow American Nicholas Estrada finished third on seven-under-par 209.
Jamaica’s Justin Burrowes recorded his best Jamaica Open finish since turning professional in 2023, posting rounds of 72, 71 and 69 for a total of 212 to finish tied for fourth alongside Canadians Ty Celone and Cougar Collins.
“I thought the tournament was run really, really well. Personally, I felt like I played well this week. As I said yesterday, as a golfer you’re always nitpicking the things that I didn’t do and the things that I could have done better, but all in all I’m playing solid, and I’m happy with where my game is at,” said Burrowes.
In the amateur division, Barbados’ Xavier Wiggins claimed top honours with a four-over-par 220 total, finishing ahead of Cayman Islands golfer Daniel De Quintal and American Nicholas Neal. Jamaica’s Oshae Haye was fourth in the category after posting 23-over-par 239.
Wiggins was full of praise for the Tryall layout.
“Honestly, this is one of the best courses I’ve played in the Caribbean because you have to be on your P’s and Q’s the entire time. For me, I hit a fade, and this course is set up for a draw, so I really had to focus, pick a target and commit. And to be honest with you, the views are breathtaking. Number seven in particular, with that sugar mill, oh my goodness. It reminds me of what the Caribbean stands for, what we give to the world, so this golf course really feels like a gem in the Caribbean, that’s for sure.”