FORMER Guyana Open winners Joaan Deo and Shanella Webster are first and second in the female division after the opening day of the Republic Bank Suriname Golf Invitational.

The premier golf event in the South American country which started yesterday at the Golf Club Paramaribo attracted 20 Guyanese golfers and at least four of them are in contention for a prize.

Deo has 40 points after an 18-hole score of 81. She shot 43 in her front nine and 38 in the back with a handicap of 16. Webster is one point behind on 39.

Reigning Guyana Open champion Avinash Persaud is tied for second on 36 points in the top flight of the male division, one behind Suriname Oswald Dasburg, while in the second flight, 14-24 handicap, Patanjali Persaud is also in second.

The other Guyanese in contention is Videsh Persaud, who is fourth with 36 points in the C flight (25-36 handicap).

Deo is hoping that she can build on her back nine performance, to win when the competition concludes today.