Hard work secret of my success in Oturkpo, says Epe

Francis Epe has attributed his success at the inaugural Professional Golfers Association of Nigeria (PGAN) Tour event in Oturkpo to hard work.

The Ikoyi-based golfer beat other top players to win the year’s first event held at the Pa Aikwuta Mark Memorial Golf Tournament in Benue State last weekend.

Still basking in the euphoria of his success, Epe revealed, “I worked hard for this and I am glad a lot of things are coming together for my game. This only means I have to work harder and I am ready to give this season what it takes.”

His performance has thrown him up as the number one player of the PGA’s Order of Merit, a career high for the Lagos-based golfer.

The win was the first in his professional career and giving the strong field he beat, Epe might have sure registered himself as one of the key players to watch out for as the season progresses.

He shot level par in his first three rounds and returned two under on the last day come out victorious. A late rally from Ghanaian Emos Korblah and Vincent Torgah could only see them in second and third place respectively, having gone flip-flop throughout the tournament.

Olapade Sunday, Marcus Elisha and Willy Gift were all in joint fourth place with three over par apiece.

Meanwhile, at the Senior Tour, the rank where professionals 50 years and above compete, new entrants into the team, Victor Enaigbe of UBTH Golf Course and Kabir Mohammed of Ilorin Golf Club, have both rattled the order with their form.

Enaigbe came tops with 222, six over par in 54 holes, narrowly escaping a playoff with Kabir Mohammed, who finished in runner-up place with one shot adrift of the winner.

Perennial winner, Lateef Lasisi had to settle for third place in the weeklong event concluded in Benue State.