Jamaica’s rising golf professional Wesley Brown is sitting just one stroke behind former world number one golfer David Duval, after shooting a 1 under par 71, following a rain delayed first round of the prestigious Puerto Rico Golf Classic presented by Merrill Lynch at East Course – Dorado Beach Resort on Thursday.

Brown is currently tied at 25th, six shots behind overall leader Manuel Villegas, who shot a 7 under par 65, with Armando Favela and Samuel Del Val close behind on 6 under.

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.

Brown said the rain delays had affected his game somewhat, but he was looking forward to shooting a lower score in the coming rounds.

He was excited to be playing against players of the calibre of the former world number one.