American Schroeder takes one-stroke lead

Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

Ron Schroeder of the United States will start today's second day of the 54-hole 47th LIME Jamaica Golf Championship atop the leader board after shooting a 5 under-par 72 to emerge with a one-stroke lead after yesterday's first day of the US$70,000 tournament at the Half Moon Golf Course in Montego Bay.

The lanky Schroeder, who used the ideal conditions perfectly, birdied the last hole to finish one stroke ahead of his countryman Catalioto Martin and Ricky Touma, who both shot 4 under-par 68, to finish the day in joint second place. Trinidad and Tobago's Christopher Richards is in third place after shooting 70.

Touma, who was brilliant up until the final hole, played a disastrous 18th. With a 5 under-par lead at the time, the American played a terrible approach shot and ended up with a double bogey for his final three under-par score.

Up-and-down day

Defending champion Jamaica's Johnny Bloomfield, who is chasing a fourth consecutive title, had an up-and-down day, finishing six strokes behind the leader with his 1-over-par 73, which left him somewhat disappointed but not dejected.

"I did not strike the ball as well as I wanted and a few chip shots got away from me," said Bloomfield, who was paired with Jamaica's amateur champion Jonathan Newnham and fellow Jamaican Gut Steuart. "I thought I played better as the day progressed."

South Korea's Charlie Wi, one of two top-flight PGA players in the field of 60 professionals and 44 amateurs, failed to justify his billing as pre-tournament favourite, shooting a disappointing 1-over-par 73 - the same score as Bloomfield.

"I found the greens a little bit tough and I did not putt well today," said Wi, who was paired with Jamaica Golf Association president Wayne Chai Chong and Colombia's Alejandro Valasquez. "I also thought I took too many risks so I intend to be much more cautious tomorrow."

On the amateur side, the day belonged to Trinidad & Tobago's Shane Costello, who shot a good-looking even par. The Jamaica duo of Newnham (Jonathan) and Wesley Brown, who both shot 74s, finished in joint second place behind Costello.

Former West Indies cricket captain Brian Lara, who is listed among the 44 competing amateurs, finished deep down the leader board after shooting an 85.

The JGA president, who told The Gleaner on Wednesday that he was expecting a fantastic tournament, was quite elated with what unfolded yesterday and said he expected things to get even better today.

"I have not seen all the scores yet but of those I have seen, some are quite fantastic," said Chai Chong. "I am expecting another very good day come tomorrow."