HANOVER, Jamaica – American Mac McClear had a one stroke lead after Sunday’s first round of the 57th Jamaica Golf Association Open Presented by Aqua Bay Resort and Vybwear at the Tryall Club in Hanover after he shot a five under par 67.

The former University of Iowa standout, who is in his first year as a professional, led Canadian Stephen Thomas who shot a four under par 68, followed by Marcus Mohr of Great Britain and Ryan Sullivan of the USA on three under par 69 while three players – Trinidad and Tobago’s Benjamin Martin, American Scott Milam and France’s Pierre Viallaneix – were all tied on two under par 70.

While it was an unusually calm day without the swirling winds, the course provided a lot of challenges but McClear thought he did well in his first appearance at the championships.

“I played well today, did a lot of things right, made some putts and I hit it good as well,” he said, “I managed the heat, when I could drink a lot of water, and ended up being all right.”

McClear said things were easier on the first nine holes but he had to dig in on the back nine.

“I think the front nine is pretty scorable, that’s where most of the par fives are, but the back nine gets tough, though, and I definitely didn’t play as well on the back as I’d like, but, you know, scrambled and made some putts when I needed to, and ended up shooting one under on the back,” he said.

Jamaica’s Justin Burrowes was tied for eighth with a one under par 71 while defending champion Andrew Arft shot a one over par 73 to be tied for 11th, his worst round after leading from the first day last year.

In the amateur section, Jamaicans Oshae Haye and Zandre Rote were tied for the lead, both shooting two over par 74, followed by American Gregory Sadowski- three over par 75, the same score as Jamaican Trey Williams. Defending champion Sean Morris and Jack Stein are tied on eight over par 80.
-Paul A Reid