JEAN HUGO CLAIMS TITLE NO 22

One of the most remarkable careers in Sunshine Tour history took another impressive turn on Friday as Jean Hugo won the Sunbet Challenge hosted by the Wild Coast Sun by a single shot.

Hugo signed for a final round of 65 to win on eight under par, with Nikhil Rama his nearest challenger on seven under following a closing 68 at the end of a day in which he teed off as the leader.

This was the 50-year-old Hugo’s 22nd career victory on the Sunshine Tour, which moves him into the top five of all-time Sunshine Tour wins.

It was another incredible performance by a golfer who won his first Sunshine Tour title in his rookie season in 1999, and who has now won in every decade since then.

Most significantly, this victory comes in a new era for him as a senior professional and following two victories on the Sunshine Legends Tour this year as well. He currently leads the Sunshine Legends Tour Order of Merit.

Hugo teed off Friday’s final round of the Sunbet Challenge hosted by the Wild Coast Sun outside the top-10 in joint 11th place, but only two shots adrift of Rama.

With three birdies on the front nine he moved himself into contention. But it was the back nine where Hugo’s experience came to the fore.

After a bogey on the par-three 11th, Hugo made three consecutive birdies that gave him the edge as Rama made three consecutive bogeys on the back nine.

Hugo’s caddie, Raymond Sehloho, earned the Sunshine Tour’s winning caddie medallion.

K-Club man Liam Grehan finished on a three round total of 207, while Hermitage’s Rowan Lester finished on 214.

TOP SCORES:

202 – Jean Hugo 71+66+65.
203 – Nikhil Rama 67+68+68.
204 – Luke Brown 69+70+65.
204 – Jonathan Broomhead 70+68+66, Jason Roets 68+70+66, Benjamin Kedochim 67+70+67, Keagan Thomas 66+69+69.

IRISH SCORES:

207 – Liam Grehan 66+70+71.
214 – Rowan Lester 70+72+72.

Photo: Jean Hugo with trophy. (Tyrone Winfield/Sunshine Tour)