Persaud keen on retaining golf title

– defending champ working on fundamentals

By Clifton Ross

Reigning Guyana Open Golf champion Avinash Persaud is oozing confidence ahead of this weekend’s Guyana Open Cup, as he prepares to defend his title against a bevy of local and international pros.
The eight-time champion and king of the Lusignan greens, during an exclusive interview with Guyana Times Sport recently, was brimming with confidence heading into this weekend’s massive event. The local pro said that he was not fazed by this year’s added players or the possibility of being dethroned owing to a much wider, experienced pool of golfers being involved this year.
Persaud, who starred in a number of tournament this year, believes that his form to date will play a huge role over the next few days, adding that wins against opponents who could likely challenge him this weekend have also played a key role in his gaining of sureness. “It is a huge factor (winning tournaments); I was playing good golf throughout the year, so I’m confident heading into the Open.”
With the greens in tip-top playing shape ever since 2018 began owing to the partnership between the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) and Macorp which has seen the venue take on a more golf-friendly atmosphere as well as complementary grounds, Persaud credited the newly-restored fairways and greens as added factors, which will vastly improve this year’s competition for both golfers and spectators alike.
“We have nicer greens this year and that improvement will not only benefit the local golfers, but the overseas golfers too because now everyone can have a fair

chance when they go out there,” said the champ.
No stranger to the bright lights and the crown, Persaud, who was a caddy turned pro, said that he was putting in some extra time honing his craft as he prepares to ward off challengers.
“In golf, you have to practice and I’ve been working hard on my putting and chipping because putting wins games,” said the pro, who went on to state that he was also fine-tuning other areas of play as he expects more than stiff competition on Saturday and Sunday. Golfers have had almost an entire year to prep for the main event as more than 30 sponsored and club tournaments teed off from January up until last Saturday when the LGC staged another successful Open.
Persaud, in conclusion, said that the number of tourneys coupled with the amount of practice has left him in a confident place as he prepares to retain a title, which he has owned over the years. “This year is very important to me, we have a lot of golfers from overseas playing, but I’m very confident ahead of the Open and once I practise I should do well.” This weekend’s Open will be played under the “Medal-play System”, where every stroke counts. Some 100 golfers, the largest number ever at a Guyana Open from countries like Canada, Colombia, French Guiana, Suriname and other Caribbean countries, and the United States will be on show. Meanwhile, the two-day 36-hole tournament is scheduled to tee off from 05:20h on Saturday morning, in order to accommodate the large number of players registered to play.