Imagine pouring your heart and soul into a sport, chasing that elusive top spot. That's exactly what's happening at The Bahamas Golf Classic at Atlantis Paradise Island, where two golfers, J.M. Butler and Justin Suh, are locked in a thrilling tie for the lead! But darkness halted play, leaving us all hanging on the edge of our seats! Who will emerge victorious when the sun rises again? Let's dive into the details of this exciting tournament.
Due to darkness descending at 5:40 p.m. ET, the first round of The Bahamas Golf Classic at Atlantis Paradise Island was suspended. J.M. Butler and Justin Suh both carded impressive scores to share the top spot. The tournament will resume bright and early at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, with 15 players still needing to finish their first round. The second round is scheduled to commence as planned, so get ready for a busy day of golf!
Let's break down the performance of our co-leaders:
| Category | J.M. Butler | Justin Suh |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 24 | 28 |
| 2025 Korn Ferry Tour Points List | --- | No. 24 |
| Starts – Wins – Top-10s on Korn Ferry Tour in 2025 | 0-0-0 | 23-1-3 |
| Starts – Wins – Top-10s in Korn Ferry Tour Career | 0-0-0 | 53-2-13 |
| Starts – Wins – Top-10s at The Bahamas Golf Classic at Atlantis Paradise Island | 0-0-0 | 2-0-0 |
J.M. Butler (T1/10-under): A Korn Ferry Tour Debut to Remember!
This young gun is making waves in his Korn Ferry Tour debut! Butler fired a spectacular bogey-free 10-under 62. But here's where it gets interesting... he capped off his round with an incredible hole-out for eagle on the par-4 17th from 117 yards! Talk about a statement! This season marks his first time as a Korn Ferry Tour member, earned through a No. 7 finish on the 2025 PGA TOUR Americas Points List. Before this stellar performance, he had six top-25 finishes, including two top-10s and a victory at the 2025 Bupa Championship. In 2024, his rookie year, he finished No. 80 on the PGA TOUR Americas Points List, securing exempt membership for the 2025 season. He gained access to the PGA TOUR Americas mid-season through Q-School. Before turning pro in 2024, Butler spent four years at Auburn University (2020-24), earning Second Team All-Southeastern Conference honors in his final year and captaining the 2024 National Championship team. What a start to his professional career!
Justin Suh (T1/10-under): A Veteran Showing His Class
Justin Suh is no stranger to the Korn Ferry Tour, and he's proving why. He exploded on his back nine, carding a scorching 29 with seven birdies, including an impressive streak of six consecutive birdies (Nos. 2-7). His total for the day? A 10-under 62, featuring 11 birdies and only one bogey. Suh finished No. 24 on the 2025 Korn Ferry Tour Points List, bolstered by three top-10 finishes and a win at the 118 VISA Argentina Open presented by Macro. This is his third start at The Bahamas Golf Classic at Atlantis Paradise Island, with his best finish being T55 in 2022. And this is the part most people miss... Suh's journey to the top includes being No. 1 on the 2022 Korn Ferry Tour Points List, earning his first PGA TOUR card after winning the 2022 Korn Ferry Tour Championship presented by Virginia’s Richmond Region. He was also the recipient of the prestigious Jack Nicklaus Award as the 2022 Korn Ferry Tour Player of the Year. Suh has 89 PGA TOUR starts under his belt, making the cut 50 times and achieving five top-10 finishes, with his best being fourth at the 2023 World Wide Technology Championship. Before turning pro, he played at the University of Southern California (2015-19), earning All-America First Team honors in 2018 and 2019, and being named Pac-12 Player of the Year in 2018.
Other Notable Performances:
- PGA TOUR Winner Ben Martin (T3/9 under) started strong with a 9-under 63, including a remarkable streak of seven consecutive birdies (Nos. 6-12).
- Colombian Camilo Villegas (T5/8 under), a five-time PGA TOUR winner, carded a bogey-free 8-under 64, highlighted by six birdies on his final nine holes.
- Former champion Jeremy Paul (T5/8 under), the 2024 winner of The Bahamas Golf Classic at Atlantis Paradise Island, also opened with a bogey-free 8-under 64, his lowest round in a PGA TOUR-sanctioned event since the 2024 Mexico Open at Vidanta World.
- Bahamian native Cameron Riley is currently 3-under through 15 holes.
The stage is set for an exciting finish at The Bahamas Golf Classic! Who do you think will take home the title? Will J.M. Butler continue his dream debut, or will Justin Suh's experience give him the edge? Or could Ben Martin, Camilo Villegas, or Jeremy Paul surge ahead? Which performance impressed you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
