Ghana’s Vincent Torgah won the Custodian Classic in a play decided by three holes play-off and one ‘Sudden-death,’ to pocket the star prize of N1.5 million at the 54-hole event held at the Golf Section of Ikoyi Club 1938, Lagos on Saturday, 25th of March 2023.
After a joint lead in the first two rounds, Torgah ended the final round with a three-way tie with Gift Willy of Python Golf Club and Sunday Olapade of Ikoyi Club, before the four-hole decider that rounded off the Classic.
Group Managing Director of Custodian Investments PLC, the sponsoring company, Wole Oshin, said he was highly impressed with the display of sportsmanship by the players and pledged to aid golf development through the PGD Tour.
“The level of sportsmanship shown at this event is commendable, especially in this last round. I saw the skills on display, especially in the few holes I walked with them. This is one of the reasons we are partnering to promote professional golf through the PGD Tour,” he said.
Torgah shot 70, 72, and 73 to finish with 215, two over par, edging Willy and Olapde to the runner-up place after the play-off. Mohammed Kabir-Haruna from Kano Golf Club placed fourth with 70, 76, and 71 scores on the three days. He totaled 215, +4 for the event, two shots off the leading pack.
At the end of the competition, PGD Tour Tournament Chief, Femi Olagbenro, said the Custodian event was an improvement on the Tour opening competition, the Meristem Open in January, and promised that improvement is an ongoing process on the Tour.
“We will keep pushing the boundaries and we are delighted to do so because that is the only way to pursue the growth and professional golf development that we are out for. Nigeria and Africa abound with a lot of golf talents and PGD Tour is a platform set up to give them expressions,” he added.
Former Nigeria’s number one player, Oche Odoh, also praised the consistency of the Tour, saying that they have brought hope to the future of professional golf in Nigeria and its environs.
“The few events that the Tour has hosted, so far, have shown that they are focused and have a long time plan for the development of the game. This gives professional players in this region hope and an opportunity to dream bigger.”
