Steady American Arft maintains lead at Jamaica Open

TRYALL, Hanover

American Andrew Arft wasn’t as prolific as on Sunday’s opening day, but the Orlando-based golfer held his own on day two to shoot an even par score of 72 to maintain the outright lead at the 56th staging of the Jamaica Open which is being played at the Tryall Golf Club.

Arft’s second-round 72 combined with his opening round 66 means he has a total of 138 which is two strokes better than second-place compatriot Ryan Sullivan who lit up the second round with a six under par 66 to go with his opening round 74 for a total of 140.

Last year’s runner-up Josh Anderson had a steady even par round to go with his opening round 69 to be in third place and three shots back with a total of 141 to complete the American dominance.

On a hot and steamy day with virtually no wind, the overnight leader Arft got off to a poor start with back-to-back bogeys on the opening holes, before drawing even on the day with birdies on holes seven and eight.

Another bogey on the 16 saw Arft drop to one over par, but a lengthy birdie putt on the final hole steadied the round with today’s final round to play.

“It was drastically different today with that rough start but the fact that I was able to steady the ship and had that drastic 20-footer on the final hole really made the day,” said Arft.

Breathing down the leader’s neck is Sullivan whose 66 was the best round of the day following his seven birdies and just one bogey.

Sullivan is keen to put in another superb round to at least give himself a shot at the title.

“The final day will certainly have a lot of game strategy. If I can put myself in a position to put heat on the leader coming down the stretch, it surely will get interesting,” said Sullivan.

Jamaica’s Wesley Brown also did his chances some good by shooting a one-under-par 71 to go with his opening 73 for a total of 144 to be in seventh place and seven shots off the lead.

In the meantime, St Ann-based Oshae Haye took over sole leadership in the amateur division following his second-round six over par 78 to go with his opening round 75 for a total of 153.

First day co-leader Sean Morris dropped to second position and is four shots back after carding a 10 over par 82 for a total of 157.

Trinidadian Chris Richards continues to lead the senior amateur section after carding 76 in the second round to go with his opening round 70 for a total of 146.

Canadian Robert Sterling leads the senior amateur section with scores of 84 and 77 for a total of 161.