HANOVER, Jamaica — American Andrew Arft is back to defend his Jamaica Golf Association Open title when the 57th staging gets underway Sunday morning at the Tryall Club in Sandy Bay, Hanover.

A field of 70 competitors was announced at Friday’s media briefing held at Tryall Club and five of the top 10 professionals from last year’s competition are set to go after the US$20,000 first prize for the 54-hole championships set to be run from Sunday to Tuesday.

The event will get underway on Saturday with a Pro-Am that has 20 teams down to compete.

Jodi Munn Barrow- president of the Jamaica Golf Association at Friday’s media briefing at Tryall Club in Hanover. (Photo: Paul Reid)

The 28-year-old Arft who had only heard about last year’s JGA Open days before it teed off had shot a seven under par 209 to win a close event where the top six were separated by four strokes.

Ryan Linton, who was sixth last year, Ryan Sullivan, Jamaican Wesley Brown and Canadian Allan McLean were the top 10 finishers last year who are down to play.

Brown is one of 10 Jamaicans down to compete in the professional section and will include: Aaron Bailey, Brian Bailey, Justin Burrowes, Neville Carr, Orville Christie, Sean Green, Kevin McDonald, Michael Rowe and Sebert Walker Jnr.

— Paul A Reid