The 61st edition of the Lagos Open Golf Championship which teed off on Friday in Ikoyi Club, has ended with the Benin-based Emmanuel Ojeabulu winning the 2022 edition of the tournament.
Playing three- shots off the pace going the last 18 holes, Ojeabulu produced one of the best golf of his life, maintaining steady pars for a closing 74, three over the course par to win the World Amateur Golf Ranking recognised event by two shots.
Ojeabulu started his game with an opening 75, a second day score of 78 and a closing 74 to replace Ilorin-based Aminu Kadir, the tournament defending champion, on the winners’ list.
Overnight leader, 20-year-old product of David Mark Golf Academy, George Paul, who was tipped to win the tournament, collapsed under pressure, closing with an unimpressive 79 to lose the two by two shots.
In the third position was Muyideen Olaitan, a three-time winner of the coveted Lagos Open trophy, while Iyare Osaze was further down on the winners’ chart by one shot, leaving perennial contender, Olajide Owolabi, who shot the tournament’s best score of 72 on day two of the competition, in the fifth position.
Speaking at the event on Sunday, the First Bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Adeola Adeduntan, who was represented by Executive Director, Chief Risk Officer, Olusegun Alebiosu said the bank has pledged its commitment to the continuous sponsorship of the tournament and other sporting activities across the country.
He disclosed that First Bank takes pride in sports and therefore, would continue to honour its commitment to the competition.
Expressing satisfaction with the turnout of the participants, Golf Captain, Tony Oboh, thanked the sponsors for keeping the tournament going, saying that First Bank commitment should be emulated.
“It is not easy to keep a tournament like this going, I therefore congratulate First Bank for their commitment,” Oboh said.
Apart from golf, other sports that enjoy sponsorship from the bank are polo, tennis, basketball, football and athletics.