Homeboy Gift Willy upstaged Nigeria’s number one golfer, Francis Epe, three-day leader of the 4th CIO Classic, to lift the prestigious title at the Python Golf Club in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Saturday.
Willy put up a commanding performance despite the pressure, and the rain halted third-round, which piled up for a 27-hole nerve-wrecking closing day. He shot 68 to close the shut-out all contenders at eleven-under par, 277 (72, 68, 69, 68) after 72 holes. “If you compete with a player like Francis Epe, you will almost be distracted by the talent at play,” Willy said during presentation ceremony.“ I came prepared and had my game plan for every round we played. My goal was to play bogey-free and pick all the birdie opportunities that presented itself.”
The win fetched Gift Willy 4.4 million of the 22 million Naira total purse available for the 35 players that made the final cut.
Francis Epe settled for the runner-up position after closing out with 279 (66, 69, 73, 71), while Abubakar Mustapha placed third at the event with 282 (72, 73, 69, 68).
Chief Executive of the sponsoring company, Keves Global Leasing Limited, Chief Ikenna Okafor, applauded the brilliance and the high level of competition at the fourth edition.
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He said:“We had seven countries at this edition, and they all represent the best from each of these sides. Our goal is to set this event as a platform for African players to come and showcase their talent at the professional level.”
He said he was very happy that Gift Willy won as he sees him as one player who has shown dedication to the game and has contributed a lot in making the CIO Classics itself reach the height it has gotten to.
The CIO Classic teed off November 5th with kids event that involved the Junior members of the Python Golf Club.
The caddies had their round on November 6 while the professionals took to the field on Wednesday for a 72-hole round that ended on Saturday.
Amateur players, including gentlemen, ladies, and veterans rounded off the event on Sunday, November 12.