A three-way battle seems likely on the final day of the United Insurance Barbados Open at Royal Westmoreland between defending champion James Johnson, Trevor Levine of St Kitts and Scott Stollmeyer, who are separated by three strokes.
Johnson, who was eight strokes behind on the first day at the Barbados Golf Club on Friday, as Levine led the field with a four-under 68, made up important ground on the second day yesterday at The Country Club at Sandy Lane, posting a two-under-par 70.
That was six strokes better than Levine, who shot 76, but the Kittitian remains in contention with a gross two-stroke lead of 144 over 36-holes. Johnson, who shot 76 Friday, has a two-day gross 146.
“I didn’t have a great game today but I think I will be more motivated tomorrow,” said Levine, who admitted struggling on the faster greens at Sandy Lane.
Johnson, who is seeking his 12th title in 16 years, appeared in better rhythm as he clawed back with birdies on the 6th, 15th and 17th holes.
Speaking of the final day, he said: “I have to make-up two strokes and I will be seeking to play my best golf.”
Stollmeyer, a Trinidadian-born player who has represented Barbados, finished the day three strokes behind the leader and is slotted third with a gross 147. Fourth is Barbados player Julian Jordan on 152.
The women’s championship division where Barbadian Rae “Muffin” Stollmeyer seems well positioned to defend her title, was incomplete late yesterday owing to darkness. When play ended, Stollmeyer who shot 76 on the first day, was leading with a score of two over par after 17 holes.
Twelve year-old Mavi Vergos had a two-day gross 156 while Trinidadian Pauline Raynor, who shot 77 on the first day, posted 87 for a 36-hole gross 164.
In the men’s first flight, featuring 35 players with 10 to 19 handicaps, Jamaican Shaun Ziadie was the early first day leader after posting a competitive 79. He was a stroke better than Rodney Phillip and two strokes ahead of Peter Barrow. Trevor Tasker and Livy Hunte both shot 81.
Defending champion Michael Haynes looks certain to surrender his title to front-running Caribbean champion Robert Piggott after 36 holes in the fiercely competitive Seniors division.
Featuring players over age 50, Piggott posted 77 yesterday, following his first day 73, and maintained his lead with a gross 150. This was four strokes better than second-placed Trinidadian Farouk Bhopa (154) and seven strokes ahead of Chris de Caires (157). Haynes shot 83 and shared fourth position with Newton Daisley, on gross 160.
The battle among the Super-Seniors (over 60) saw the emergence of a new leader at Apes Hill yesterday, where Bill Weir of Barbados upstaged favourites, Trinidadians Arjune Samlall and defending champion Monty Chapman, with a four-over-par 74.
That pushed him into the lead, on a gross 147, and five strokes ahead of Chapman (152) and six ahead of Samlall (153).
Around 130 players in five divisions, from the Caribbean, Canada, England and France, are contesting the 30th edition of the three-day Barbados Open Golf championships, which are organized by the Barbados Golf Association.