Whitney shines at BMW Jamaica Classic
ORDER OF Merit leader Tom Whitney was once again in scintillating form as the American got off to a hot start in the opening Round of the PGA Latinoamerica BMW Jamaica Golf Classic at the Cinnamon Hill Golf course in Montego Bay.
Whitney, who shot a 7 under par 65, held the clubhouse lead with American playing partner Hunter Hamrick and Canadian Stephen Thomas, who both shot 7 under 65’s.
It was a fitting birthday outing for Whitney, who turned 30 today, as his bogey-free round has set him up nicely heading into today’s Round 2.
AWESOME START
“It’s an awesome start for me as I really played well today, I had no swing thoughts out there and I was really feeling confident over every shot and I executed a lot of things well today.”
The Californian native had five birdies and an incredible eagle on the par 5 18th hole, having made the turn at five underpar.
“My best moment was the eagle on 18, I hit a monster drive that went over 400 yards and I dropped it in around seven feet for a straight forward tap in, that was really awesome.”
In the meantime, Jamaican Orville Christie had a torrid opening round, shooting eight over par 80 to be tied for 142nd. Christie’s round included one triple bogey, two double bogies and two bogies.
Christie managed some respite on the par 4 fourth hole, which he birdied. The other Jamaicans who teed off late in the afternoon were Ian Facey and Justin Burrowes.
Trinidadian Talin Rajendranath is on the cusp of making a rare cut, as his 2 under par round of 70 sets him up nicely, as he is tied for 41st heading into today’s second round.
Rajendranath had five birdies in an impressive round to lead the Caribbean contingent at the Classics.