Golf: Francis Christopher wins Acutech pro-am prize

February 1, 2024 10:33 pm

Francis Christopher of the Minna Cantonment Golf Club on Wednesday pulled a surprise five under par 64 in the closing round of the 2nd Acutech pro-am golf championship to lift the first Professional Golf Association of Nigeria (PGAN) tour of the 2024 season.

The total money at stake is N15 million.

Christopher had teed off the last round in joint 13th place, with the 70, +1, and 73, +4, he had accumulated from his first two rounds at Ikeja Golf Club in Lagos.

“I went out today (last round) with the aim of hitting the greens in regulations and making the best of the putts that come along the way. I did not imagine I would come off with such a score. So, I am very grateful to God, and I believe my training routine also contributed to it,” Christopher said.

The winner’s 64, -5 score dimmed the light on the chances of Kamalu Bako and Mike Ubi, former Nigeria’s number ones who were favorites going to the last round. Bako ended the championship two strokes off Christopher’s total at 209, +2 for the runner-up position, while Ubi tied with Okoh Johnson at 210, +3.

Christopher is now squarely atop the order of merit (Nigeria PGA’s ranking system) for the 2024 season where top players like Francis Epe, Gift Willy, Oche Odoh, and Olapade Sunday would have to wait for other opportunities in the year to edge him out.

In the ladies’ professional class, Bola Mustapha trumped with a three-shot margin, finishing with 246, ahead of Amina Wilfred who was runner-up. Obadina Hannah and Blessing Abdul were tied in third place after 54 holes of play.

IBB Golf and Country Club’s Liman Mohammed picked the senior tour’s price at the event.

Meanwhile, Tare Alebiosu, the director at Acutech, expressed delight at the golfers’ performance which he said aligned with the company’s core objective for sponsoring the event.

“We are out to expose the immense golf talents in the country. The demography that constitutes professional golfers in Nigeria is young and very active and we believe supporting them will help grow the golfers and provide a platform to celebrate their skills,” Alebiosu said.