Knibbs clinches National Amateur Golf Championship

William Knibbs shrugged off the disappointment of losing last year’s National Amateur Championship in a playoff by claiming the 2020 title on the final day at the Half Moon Golf course in Montego Bay yesterday.

Knibbs, who was the joint day one leader, carded the only under par round of the tournament in hot, humid, and windy conditions. His one-under-par 71 on the final day enabled him to post a three-round total of 218, which was four strokes better than defending champion Justin Burrowes and Sebert Walker Jr, who were tied for second.

Knibbs started the final day with two bogeys and a birdie just before the turn. However, three more birdies, including one on the final hole, was good enough to seal his first national championship after finishing in the runner-up spot on three straight occasions.

“It was a war of attrition over the 54 holes, and I feel great to be the national champion,” Knibbs said. “It is beyond anything in my wildest dreams after losing in the playoff last year. It was reassuring in the sense that it taught me that my good is good enough to win at this level, and it just gave me more motivation to go out there and execute as best as I could.”

JOINT SECOND PLACE

Burrowes followed up his rounds of 74 and 72 with a third-round 76 while day two leader Walker was five over par on the final day to add to his opening round 73 and second round 72. Both golfers finished with a score off 222 for joint second place.

For Burrowes, the steamy and windy conditions proved his downfall on the final day.

“Today wasn’t the best result, and I gave it my best shot, and I can’t really complain,” he said. “The conditions were pretty tough today, very hot and very windy, and I couldn’t get it going on the green as my putting wasn’t so great. It’s hard to really shoot a good score if you are not making many putts. William played well, and I am happy for him.”

National junior player Rocco Lopez finished in fourth position after his total of 223 while national player Sean Morris was fifth after his total of 229. Mark Newnham ended in sixth after his score of 233.