FORMER Guyana Open Champion Joaan Deo is confident of retaining her Suriname Invitational golf title this weekend at Golf Club Paramaribo.

The 2018 winner, who tallied 82 points after she broke 80 for the first time in her career last year, said that she is looking forward to becoming the first back-to-back Guyanese winner at the event.

“I’m confident of retaining the title because my game has been solid throughout the year.”
The 29-year-old said that one of the positives over the last 12 months is the improvement in her driving from the tee box. Deo, who is a practising dentist, said that she has also been pushing herself in the gym as she prepares for the upcoming 2019 Guyana Open (October 26-27).

In a practice round yesterday in Suriname, she finished with 79 in her 18 holes.
Although there are several Surinamese golfers who would attempt to keep the title home, one of Deo’s toughest challengers would be Shanella London.

The former Guyana Open champion has had a string of good performances, which have resulted in her handicap cutting to 14. Deo, on the other hand, saw her handicap bump up by one to 15.

Twenty-eighth handicapper Eureka Giddings is the third female representing Guyana.
Meanwhile, arguably the best male golfer that Guyana has ever produced, Avinash Persaud, would lead a formidable male squad. At his side would be younger brother, and one of the few players who can challenge him, Avinda Kishore.

Also in the lineup are LGC president Aleem Hussain, Troy Cadogan, Rakesh Harry, Lakram Ramsundar (Panko), George Bulkan, Robert Bulkan and Philbert London.