Erik Barnes heads into Jamaica Open final day with lead
Published:Tuesday | December 15, 2020 | 9:13 AMLennox Aldred/Gleaner Writer -
American Erik Barnes gained a bit of daylight between himself and his nearest rivals heading into today's final day after another impressive round on day two of the Jamaica Open at the Tryall Golf Club in Hanover on Monday.
Barnes followed up his opening round 66 with a four-under-par 68 on the second day. His 10 under par overall total of 134 was good enough for the outright lead by one shot after the overnight leader, Canadian David Morland, carded a three-under-par 69 to add to his opening round of 66.
American Brad Adamonis is six shots off the lead as he registered a one-under-par 71 to go with his opening round 69.
Jamaican Orville Christie continues to lead the local charge, albeit somewhat off the leading pack in 17th position. Christie followed up his opening round 76 with a five-over-par 77 in the second round for a two-day total of 153.
Right behind Christie in 18th position is compatriot Wesley Brown who carded a better second round of three over par 75 to go with his opening round 79.
Barnes, who sunk six birdies to go with two bogeys, relished another steady and efficient round on the challenging Tryall course.
“I played really solid for the first 14 holes and I just got a bad break with that bogey on hole 14, but overall, I hit a lot of fairways and greens and I am happy with the round,” Barnes said.
On the amateur side, National champion William Knibbs turned on the style on day two, as he recorded the only under par round to assume the outright lead.
Knibbs followed up his opening round 76 with a stellar round of five-under par 67 with six birdies for a total of 143.
“It was a great day today as I hit a lot of greens, much like I did yesterday, however, the difference was that I made more putts today,” Knibbs said.
Knibbs is nine shots better than second-placed American Robert Owen, who carded a second round of two over par 74 to go with his opening round 78.
Overnight co-leader Sebert Walker Jr fell into third place after his five over par second round of 77.
Defending champion Justin Burrowes is 11 shots off the lead after carding a second round of three over par 75.