JAMES JOHNSON took control of the United Insurance/Digicel Rockley Open yesterday, sinking four birdies on his way to a one-under par 69 at Rockley Golf Club.
The defending champion led by four shots over talented 15-year-old Donald Leacock and Richard Zaar, who both carded rounds of 73. Ivan Codrington sat in fourth with a 74.
Judd Cozier had an ugly start before rebounding to shoot 75, six strokes back in fifth spot.
The 31-year-old Johnson was consistent throughout his round, with three birdies on the first eight holes as well as one on the 11th. His card was only tarnished by a bogey on seven and a double bogey on the 14th.
Playing alongside Johnson, Cozier got off to a horrible start, shooting bogey, double bogey, double bogey to start his round and was seven over on the front nine.
But the six-time winner fought back strongly the second time around the nine-hole course, with a fantastic eagle on the 13th and birdies in 12 and the final hole.
In the women’s open, defending champion Helen Foster led by three strokes after Day 1, shooting 78 to be eight over.
Rockley’s own Debbie Fung had a sensational round of 81 to keep in touch with Foster.
In a field of close to 100, there was a close battle for the men’s net prize in the 0-15 handicap, with Lennox Mirjah shooting a fine 76 (66 net) to lead by two shots over Zaar.
Sue Lumsden sat atop the women’s net leaderboard, five ahead of the field, after carding an 89 (63 net).
Leading scores
Men’s gross: James Johnson – 69; Donald Leacock – 73; Richard Zaar – 73; Ivan Codrington – 74; Judd Cozier – 75, Lennox Mirjah – 76.
Men’s net (0-15 handicap): Lennox Mirjah – 66 (76); Richard Zaar – 68 (73); Donald Leacock – 69 (73); Jimmy Duncan – 69 (82); Bob Bagot – 69 (80).
Men’s net (16-28 handicap): Peter Dean 69 (91).
Women’s gross: Helen Foster – 78; Debbie Fung – 81; Julia Stephenson – 86; Alison Hiles – 87, Mavi Vergos – 87.
Women’s net: Sue Lumsden – 63 (89); Debbie Fung – 68 (81); Kathleen Poole – 71 (95); Mavi Vergos – 71 (87); Alison Hiles 71 – (87)
NB: In the nett scores, the gross scores are in brackets.
