By Steve Oma-Ofozor
Lagos
The ACUTECH Golf Championship 2025 winner Barry Yaw of Ghana has revealed that he was not certain of victory build up to the championship but to make the top five.
The Achimota Golf Club of Ghana player made the revelation while fielding questions from sports journalists after his victory at the Ikeja Golf Club Lagos on Wednesday evening.
On his target ahead of the the 54-hole championship he said, “When I was coming to Nigeria for the championship, my target was to finish amongst the top-five, not to win.”
However, on what changed the scenario he said, “My difficulties on the course for the three days were on hole 1, first nine and holes 9 and 14 second nine; I played bogey, bogey; but again I played birdie, birdie on holes 4 and 17 which were my best and that changed my mind and I said to myself, “I can do it,” and it happened.”
Recalled that Yaw came from two over course par 69 in the first round of the championship, shot 3-under par in the second round and 1-over par in the third and final round (71, 66, 70) to amass 207 gross over 54 holes.
Yaw invariably, gave credit to his co-professionals for putting up a great fight and commended the organisers for the opportunity to participate in the championship he affirmed, “It’s well organised, the course is very challenging but good to play on; I’ll always come to Nigeria because Nigerians are good and are very hospitable.”
Incidentally, home favourite, Nigeria’s Francis Epe and defending champion of Ultimate Golf Challenge, lost the title to Yaw at the last putting with one shot behind; Epe according to golf pundits was said to have ‘lost focus, making silly errors.’
The Ladies Tour arguably produced the best Lagos ladies professional player, Bola Mustapha as the champion with 244 gross, 37-over course par, over 54 holes, while Liman Muhammed won the Senior with 225 gross, 18-over course par over 54 holes.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of ACUTECH Support System, Amaibi Emman Jituboh, in his speech during the closing ceremony commended the champion and other participants for a successful championship and wished them a safe trip to their various destinations, just as he said all grey areas would be improved on in the next edition.
Other dignitaries present at the occasion include captain of the Ikeja Golf Club, Babatunde Ojo; PGA of Nigeria Executive Director, Dr Tony Philmoore, past captains and friends of the club.
