Canada's Oliver Tubb sizes up the Half Moon course before making a shot while competing in the LIME Jamaica Open Golf Championships yesterday. - Photo by Adrian Frater

Western Bureau:

Despite shooting a somewhat disappointing two over par 73 on yesterday's second day, first-day leader Canada's Oliver Tubb will take a three-stroke lead into today's final day of the 54-hole Lime Jamaica Open Golf Championship at the Half Moon Golf Course in Montego Bay.

Tubb, who shot a sparkling 66 on the first day, now has a combined score of 139 to hold an advantage over Italian Marcello Santi, who also fell well short of his first-day 63 with a 73, which gives him a combined score of 142 and second place.

"I was not as sharp as I had wanted to be with the driver today and I did not make as many putts," said Tubb, who is seeking to capture the US$14,000 purse on what is his first appearance in Jamaica.

"If I am able to keep my composure tomorrow (today) I think my chances will be very good," continued Tubb. "I should need to keep ahead of those guys I expect to come and charge me."

Among the players expected to make that charge at Tubb is the defending champion, Jamaica's Johnny Bloomfield, who won the last two Jamaica Open championships and is seeking to join Seymour Rose as the only three-time champion of this prestigious event.

'feeling pretty good'

Unlike the first day when he shot 74, Bloomfield was much sharper yesterday, shooting a 71 which gives him a combined total of 145 and joint third-place with Shawn Warren, who shot a 70 yesterday to go with his first-day 75.

"Today felt a little bit easier out there. I struck the ball better although I did not make as many putts as I would have liked," said Bloomfield.

"I am feeling pretty good going into the final day and I still fancy my chances of coming out on top."

Unlike the first day when the wind wreaked havoc with his strokeplay - resulting in him hitting only a mere nine greens - yesterday Broomfield hit 15 greens, even though he felt he should have ended with a few more birdies.

Among the other players who are in a very good position to challenge for the title are Matthew Donovan of the United States and Joe Cioe, also of the United States.

Mathews shot a very good 60 yesterday to better his first-day 76, while Cioefell short of his first-day 71 by shooting 75. Both are tied with a combined score of 146, which gives them joint fourth place.

In the amateur section, Jamaica's Keith Stein leads with a combined total of 156 after shooting 81 yesterday to go with his first-day 75. Making up the top three are Stewart Guy (159) and Radcliff Knibbs and William Lee, who are joint third with 165.

Prize money for the other main competitors are as follows: US$8,000 - second place, US$5,500 - third, US$4,000 - fourth; US$3,000 - fifth and US$2,600 - sixth.