Kenny Leseur paid the perfect tribute to his late uncle Robbie Sinclair by claiming a maiden Bermuda Amateur Match Play Championship title at Port Royal Golf Course on Sunday.

The Butler University student defeated James Godwin 3 and 2 in the final to secure his first match play title at the third attempt and he dedicated victory to his uncle, who died in the build-up to the tournament.

“The passing of my uncle Robbie before the tournament gave me some good motivation to win for him, and I am pleased to have done that,” Leseur told The Royal Gazette.

“Overall, I played very well and struck the ball well all week. I also want to thank my caddie for the week, Jonah Faria.”

The match remained in the balance with the finalists deadlocked at the midway stage before Leseur found another gear on the back nine.

“The first nine we both were 1 under and all square and I was able to stay consistent and pull away on the back nine,” Leseur said.

“I’m happy with my game at the moment as I feel like I am hitting the ball very well. Still lots of work to do to be where I want to be, but I will be there soon.”

The 21-year-old defeated Oliver Betschart 1 up in the semi-final to advance to the final.

Leseur was 4 up when play was suspended at the 12th hole on Saturday as a result of heavy rain and lightning.

Betschart fought his way back into the match when play resumed at 8am on Sunday. However, Leseur kept his cool under pressure, tapping in a two-foot par putt to capitalise on an excellent approach shot to the 18th hole and close out the match.

“I was 4 up and -4 after 12 and let a couple slip away in the restart this morning but I ended up getting the job done,” Leseur said.

With victory, Leseur has secured an exemption to the 2025 North & South Championship, which will be played at Pinehurst from June 22 to 28.

Godwin, who will soon become a father, was happy just to make it the final.

“Making the final was pretty cool,” he said. It was great to be in the mix. I had a couple of opportunities and it was fun to make Kenny bring out his A game. He really deserved the win and played really great golf throughout.

“Congratulations to him and big shoutout to the Bermuda Golf Association for providing the opportunity to compete in such a prestigious event.”

The 33-year-old advanced to the final after rival Damian Palanyandi withdrew from their semi-final match with a wrist injury.

The pair were all square after nine holes when play was suspended on Saturday, with Palanyandi later forced to pull out after an accident in the bad weather.

“Unfortunately, later that evening due to wet weather I slipped and hurt my wrist,” Palanyandi explained. “Gutted.”

In the Men’s First Flight Division, Marcelos Thomas defeated Mackih McGowan 2 & 1 on the 17th hole to complete the head-to-head match play round-robin format with a perfect 3-0 record.

There was also cause for celebration for Tracy Burgess, who won the Bermuda Amateur Match Play women’s round-robin tournament with an unblemished 3-0 record.

The Bermuda Match play is a fantastic event that is put on by the BGA,“ Burgess said.

“Despite being a small field it, was a great opportunity to go head to head with some of Bermuda’s great lady golfers.

“My game was on par and I played very well on both days, which led me to victory. I just want to say thank you to all involved in making this event happen and being successful.”

Morgan Lightbourne finished runner-up followed by teenager Darina Betschart in third, with Katrin Burnie rounding out the four-player field.

Like Leseur, Burgess has also earned an exemption to compete in this summer’s North & South Championship for her efforts.