JAMAICA’S top junior golfer Romaine Evans produced a scintillating round of golf on Friday to capture the prestigious 17 and under category by four strokes at the Caribbean Amateur Junior Golf Championships in St Croix, US Virgin Islands.

Evans actually started the final round three strokes behind overnight leader Rodrigo Sanchez of the Dominican Republic, but produced a blistering 74, while Sanchez faltered, carding 81.

Evans had rounds of 79, 78 and 74 to finish on 231, ahead of Sanchez 235. Third place went to Sol Joanni of Trinidad and Tobago.

Evans is a member of the Sandals Foundation Golfing Academy, and one of the many youngsters from the programme who have gone on to represent Jamaica.

The new champion noted that he had trained hard under the watchful eyes of his coaches at Sandals Golf and Country Club and had been confident he would do well.

“I want to thank the Sandals Foundation for giving me the opportunity to get a start in golf and for their continued support over the years,” Evans said.

Jamaicans Jordan Lowe and Griffin McCloy, also playing in the category, finished 13th and 14th, respectively.

Other Jamaican notables were Luke Chin in the boys’ 11-13, who placed fourth with a score of 251, and Tristan Brown seventh with 268.

In the girls’ 15 and under Tiana Cruz was fourth with 258 and Kei Harris sixth with 277.