JAMAICAN golfing pro Wesley Brown will tee off today in a major international event, the Puerto Rico Classic Golf Tournament, presented by Merrill Lynch, at East Course — Dorado Beach Resort, Puerto Rico.

The tournament, which will be played over four days, is part of the Latino Tour and is organised by the United States Professional Golf Association and offers over US$150,000 in prize money.

Brown, who is sponsored by Sandals Resorts International, received an invitation to the event based on his outstanding performance in the recently concluded National Golf Association Pro Golf Tour, which is the number three Men’s Professional Golf Tour in the United States after the PGA TOUR and Web.com Tour and is the number one recommended developmental tour by more PGA TOUR and Web.com Tour Professionals.

A confident Brown, in an interview before departing the island this week, said he was happy to have been invited to participate in the event and is confident of holding his own in what will be a very competitive field.

“My game has improved a lot since I have started participating in the overseas tournaments,” Brown noted. “I always had a good driving game, but I have worked hard on my putting and my all-round game.”

Brown said he was unfamiliar with the conditions in Puerto Rico, but was not overwhelmed by the challenge.

Apart from playing in tournaments, Brown also received special tutoring at a golf school in the USA, which further sharpened his skills.

Dave Reid, Brown’s mentor and general manager of the Sandals Golf and Country Club, expressed pleasure at the young golfer’s performance since turning professional last year.

“Wesley is beginning to settle in and be much more comfortable. We anticipate even more improved performances in the tournaments ahead,” Reid said.

Brown’s trip is being sponsored by Sandals Resorts International. He is currently employed at the Sandals Golf and Country Club.