Putting it right – Kumar showing his class among the juniors

From Barbados Today

Trinidadian champion Sachin Kumar is slamming the field at the 2016 Caribbean Junior Golf Championships, now on at the Barbados Golf Club.

On the second day of the region’s premier tournament for young players, the talented 17 year-old Trinidadian followed up his first round 70 with a one-under-par 71 today to dominate the 16 to 17 years division.

He leads the division with a 36-hole score of 141, fourteen shots ahead of Lucas Hernandez of the Dominican Republic (155) who shot 78. Kumar, also the reigning Trinidad Open senior champion, produced some impressive shot-making while sinking five birdies in marching towards the title.

“It was very challenging with the wind…you had to control the ball and fly it low. I am hoping to keep it steady tomorrow and win the tournament,” said Kumar, who is based at the Club Med Sports Academy in Florida.

In the highly competitive boys’ 14-15 category, Melvin Morales of Puerto Rico sent ripples through the field Wednesday, with an impressive 2-under-par 70 that was also the best score of the day. His two-day gross of 147 moved him four strokes ahead of second placed Jamaican Seibert Walker, who shot 75 after a first day 76.

The Jamaican was followed by Ho Jin Kang of the Dominican Republic, who posted 76 for a two-day score of 155, and Barbadian Iz Hustler (159) who slipped after registering a second day 82. Another Barbadian, Xzavier Wiggins, showed tremendous improvement on Day 2 as he shot a three-over-par 75, which was 11 strokes better than his first round score.

Justin Hastings of the Cayman Islands and compatriot Aaron Jarvis continued their domination of the 13 and under division, maintaining first and second place. Hastings followed up his first-day 71 with a second round three-over-par 75 while Jarvis shot 76 to add to his first round 74.

Among the girls, 12 year-old Barbadian Emily Odwin showed tremendous improvement and produced a major leap in the girls’ 13 and under division as she shot 79 on Wednesday, 11 strokes better than her first round 90.

That lifted her to first place after 36 holes and well placed to make a run for the title on the final day tomorrow. Tied in second position were Sophie Anand of the Bahamas (169) and Brooke Rivers of Turks & Caicos (169).

“Everything came together today…I was driving better and making more putts. I am hoping to play well and so something special tomorrow,” said Odwin.

Jamaican Hannah Foster maintained her lead in the 15 and under division, posting 79, while 16 year-old Puerto Rican Valeria Pacheo also tightened her grip on the 16-17 category with two-over-par 72. Pacheo was five shots ahead of another Jamaican, Tiana Cruz who posted 79.

The third and final round of the Caribbean Junior Championships will be staged tomorrow at the Barbados Golf Club where players will be seeking to improve their individual scores, which will also count towards overall team scores.

Puerto Rico are the defending team champions in the 29th edition of the annual tournament staged under the auspices of the Caribbean Golf Association, and teams from Trinidad and Tobago, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Bahamas, USVI and Turks & Caicos are contesting the championships.

IMAGES:
Trinidadian Sachin Kumar hits to the ninth green en route to posting 71 at the Barbados Golf Club.
Barbadian Emily Odwin jumped into the lead among the 13 and under girls on Day 2 with a 79.

For more on this story go to: http://www.barbadostoday.bb/2016/07/07/putting-it-right/