LOCAL golfing ace Wesley Brown carded a 4 under par 68 to finish at 7 under, placing fifth in the United States National Golf Association (NGA) tournament at Foxfire Golf Course, North Carolina, on Wednesday.

Brown’s putter was back to top form during the two-day event, erasing its downslide in the recent US Open Qualifying tournament.

He shot a 3 under 69 in the opening round on Tuesday and continued his surge Wednesday with long and well-placed drives, backed by accurate putting for a round of 68 and a final score of 137.

The Jamaican star had carded a 77 in the US Open qualifiers to finish out of the frame, following a sub par putting performance. However, an elated Brown said he was pleased with his current form and is looking forward to his first win on the circuit in the upcoming tournaments.

“Finishing fifth in this tournament was a major accomplishment for me. My game is coming along nicely and I am looking forward to bigger and better things to come,” he said.

The NGA circuit, which is the number three Men’s Professional Golf Tour in the United States after the PGA TOUR and Web.com Tour and is the number one recommended developmental tour by more PGA TOUR and Web.com Tour Professionals.

Brown said he was now much more familiar with the conditions in the USA, and was not overwhelmed by the challenge.

Dave Reid, Brown’s mentor and general manager of the Sandals Golf and Country Club, expressed pleasure at the young golfer’s performance since turning professional last year.

“Wesley is beginning to settle in and be much more comfortable. We anticipate even more improved performances in the tournaments ahead,” Reid said.

Brown’s trip is being sponsored by Sandals Resorts International. He is currently employed at the Sandals Golf and Country Club.