ROSE HALL, St James — Hosts Jamaica have moved into the lead in the Hoerman Cup competition after two rounds of the 59th Caribbean Amateur Golf Championships at the Half Moon course in Rose Hall, St James.

Led by individual leader Jonathon Newnham’s one under par 71 on another hot and windy day on a course he describes as “fast and firm”, the Jamaican men shot a seven over par 295, 12 strokes better than Tuesday’s first round 19 over 307 score for a two-day total of 26 over par 602.

The Dominican Republic are in second place, six strokes off the lead on 32 over par 608 after combining for 11 over par 299 yesterday to push first-round leaders Puerto Rico into third place on 36 over par 612.

Jamaica, however, were well off the lead in the other competitions, tied for fifth in the George Teale Memorial Trophy and Ramon Baez Trophy; tied fourth in the Francis/Steele-Perkins Cup, and third in the Higgs and Higgs Trophy.

Newnham, meanwhile, extended his lead in the individual event to three shots with the only under par score of the tournament so far to be on even par 144 through 36 holes, three ahead of Brian Ross of the Cayman Islands with three over 147, followed by Deavughn Robinson of the Bahamas, and Barbadian James Johnson, both on four over par 148. Puerto Rico’s Jeronimo Esteve is in fifth place on five over par 149, just ahead of Jamaican Owen Samuda, who shot an even par 72 yesterday after carding a six over 78 the day before.

Two of the other three Jamaicans improved on their scores from the first day. Ian Facey shot a three over 75, four strokes better than Tuesday’s 79 for a two-day 10 over par 154 in 14th place; William Knibbs is tied for 20th with his five over 77 yesterday after shooting nine over par 81 in the first round for a total 14 over par 158, while Sean Morris scored an 11 over 83 after carding a five over 77 on Tuesday for 16 over 160 and is tied in 23rd place.

Newnham described his second round as “a very positive day”, despite having to play under some tough conditions.

“I started off really well and was three under after 10,” he told the Jamaica Observer. “I hit some really good shots but had some hiccups coming in, but overall a very positive day.”

He said he had some work to do after the round and warned that the best was yet to come. “I am expecting to play better (today); I am getting used to the conditions and I feel like I have not peaked yet.”

There was little difference between his play on both days, he said. “They were pretty similar days, (but) I played a little better into the wind (yesterday), but overall not too much different.”

The approach, he said, most players should take, was to be patient. “The conditions are tough, windy, the course is fast and firm and we have to be patient because you are going to make mistakes, but it will come down to who handles it the best will come out on top.”

Facey, who represented Jamaica at the recent Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada, said his round was “pretty good,” saying he got off to a good start “but the middle of the round was a bit tough coming back into the wind and I kinda limped in but I held it together”.

His approach, he said, was “to capitalise on the downwind holes and into the wind, you just hang on for dear life”.

Meanwhile, Jamaican teams trailed in the other four competitions, slipping one place to joint fifth with the Bahamas in the George Teale Memorial Trophy competition, both on 43 over par 331 after two rounds.

The Jamaicans shot a 26 over par 170 yesterday, sixth best from the nine countries taking part, as Puerto Rico stayed top with 21 over par 309 after an 11 over par 155 yesterday.

The United States Virgin Islands are next, moving up a place after a seven over par 151 yesterday, the best round so far, led by Amira Alexander, who shot a two over par 74 yesterday to take over the lead in the individual category with a two-round score of seven over par 151, moving past first-round leader Yudilka Rodriques of Puerto Rico.

National champion Madelyn Piciccini was the top Jamaican in joint 10th place with a two-round 22 over par 166 after shooting 11 over par 85 yesterday four strokes behind her 81 on Tuesday.

Teenagers Kei Harris and Tiana Cruz were both tied for 15th place on 26 over par 170; Harris matched her 13 over 85 from Tuesday, while Cruz shot an 18 over par 90 yesterday, 10 strokes more than Tuesday’s eight over par 80.

Both women described the going as “tough”, but vowed to fight on today.

Harris told the Observer: “I was hitting the ball well today but was not scoring well. I had a bit of trouble on the greens and the wind kinda messed me up a bit.”

While her scores were not as good as she would have liked, she said: “Thinking of where I am with my game and the things I am working on, I am OK with the score, but wish it would be better.”

The first two days are out of the way. “I have two more days left and I can’t complain; there were parts that were tricky and caught me a bit.” she said. “The first four and last four holes, going into the wind and it’s kinda hard to stop the ball on the greens.”

Cruz did not blame anything. “I just wasn’t playing well,” she said bluntly. “I played better yesterday and I am sure I will do better Thursday.”

Gifford Wilmot and Mark Newnham maintained their place in the Ramon Baez trophy after a four over par 76 yesterday for a two-day score of four over par 148.

The Dominican Republic lead with three under par 141, ahead of Barbados on one under 143 and the Bahamas on level par 144.

Keith Stein and Radcliff Knibbs moved up one spot in the Francis/Steel-Perkins Cup after a two over par 74 yesterday for a two-day score of one over par 145. Trinidad moved into the lead with a three under par 141 after shooting one under 71 yesterday.

Jamaica also moved up one spot in the Higgs and Higgs Trophy to third place as Peter Chin and Easton Williams had a two over par 74 yesterday for a two over 145 score.

The Bahamas maintained their lead with five under par 139 after shooting a three under 69 yesterday.