Schroeder stays ahead with three-stroke lead

Western Bureau:

Despite shooting only an even par on yesterday's second day of the 47th LIME Jamaica Open Golf Championship, first day leader, the American Ron Schroeder, will take a three-stroke lead into today's final day of the 54-hole tournament at the Half Moon Golf Course, Montego Bay.

"I feel good about how I am playing," said Schroeder, who played a steady round while those around him struggled. "I am not getting ahead of myself but I am very confident I will do well tomorrow and, hopefully, win the title."

Schroeder is being chased by the quartet of the American duo of Mike Tobiason and Riston Dustin, New Zealand's Grant Waite and Jamaica's Dermott Warren, who all finished with combined scores of 142 - three strokes off the lead.

Defending champion Johnny Bloomfield, who shot even par yesterday to go with his first day 71, remains in contention but will need to shoot his best round of the tournament today if he hopes to win a fourth consecutive title.

"I started off well and was 3 under par but I lost ground in the middle rounds," said Bloomfield. "I still give myself a chance of winning, I just need to make more putts tomorrow."

Jamaica also got a solid showing from Peter Horrobin, who shot a good 2 under par 70 for a combined score of 143, which puts him a mere four strokes off the lead.

Remained consistent

"I was patient out there today ... when I made mistakes I just move along and try to regroup," said Horrobin. "I started the day with an eagle and pretty much remained consistent throughout."

Among the amateurs, Jamaica champion Jonathan Newnham replaced Trinidad & Tobago's Shane Costello as the leader after shooting a 73, which gives him the lead with a combined score of 147.

"I hit the ball extremely well today ... it was one of my best ball striking days in a long while," said Newnham. "While I am happy about today, I will still be trying to improve on my performance tomorrow."

Among the other Jamaican amateurs looking good going for today's final day are Radcliff Knibbs and Gifford Wilmott, who have combined scores of 156.

Top-ranked PGA player Charlie Wi had another disappointing day, shooting a 77, which is six strokes below his first day 71.

- A.F.