The winner of the 61st edition of the First Bank Lagos Open Golf Championship, Emmanuel Ojeabulu, has been listed in the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR).

The premier golf championship which was held between November 18 and 20, 2022, at the golf section of Ikoyi Club 1938 was contested by over 190 low handicapped players from several golf clubs in the country.

Benin-based Ojeabulu won the three-day championship, playing three shots off the pace going into the last 18 holes.

He maintained steady pars for a closing 74, 3-over the course par to win the World Amateur Golf Ranking recognised event by two shots.

According to a statement made available to The Star on Monday by the Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Folake Ani-Mumuney, 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 defending champion on the winner’s list.

Overnight leader, 20-year-old product of David Mark Golf Academy, George Paul, who was tipped to win the tournament, collapsed under pressure closing with an unimpressive 79 to lose by two shots.

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In the third position is Muyideen Olaitan, three-time winner of the coveted First Bank Lagos Open trophy while Iyare Osaze was further down on the winner’s chart by one shot, leaving perennial contender, Olajide Owolabi, who shot the tournament’s best score of 72 on day two of the competition in the fifth position.

The sponsors of the annual championship, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, has, however, pledged its commitment to the continuous sponsorship of the tournament.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the tournament in Lagos on Sunday, the Chief Executive Officer of First Bank, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, who was represented by Executive Director, Chief Risk Officer of the bank, Olusegun Alebiosu, said: “This year made it 61 years of our undiluted commitment to this cause, and we are absolutely delighted with the amazing support and partnership we have enjoyed from Ikoyi Club 1938 thus contributing to building a legacy not only for golf and golfers, but sports in its entirety.

“To all the amateur golfers produced at this year’s championship, these champions are an inspiration and testament that you can do the impossible and I look forward to celebrating you as winners in future championships. Remember that in the words of Ben Hogan, ‘The most important shot in Golf is the next one’.”.

Speaking at the event, the Golf Captain, Tony Oboh, thanked the sponsors for keeping the tournament going, saying First Bank commitment should be emulated.

“It is not easy to keep a tournament like this going, I therefore congratulate First Bank for their commitment,” Oboh said.

Since its debut, First Bank Lagos Amateur Open Golf Championship has been one of the most consistent and premier amateur golf events in West Africa and has produced great champions most of who are competing in the elite professional golf cadre.

In 2021, the championship threw up Ilorin-based Aminu Kadir who won the landmark edition.

Other First Bank-sponsored sporting events include the Georgian Cup of Kaduna Polo Tournament, sponsored for 102 years; the Dala Tennis Hard Court in Kano Club for over 30 years; and the Obasanjo Pro-Amateur Golf tournament of Abeokuta Club now in its 6th year; among others.

The Star