With the sun out in all its glory and a steady wind sweeping across the picturesque course, defending champion Jonathan Newnham played a solid round to emerge as the new leader of the Sandals-sponsored Jamaica National Amateur Golf Championship at Sandals Golf and Country Club in Ocho Rios, yesterday.

Newnham finished yesterday’s second day of the three-day tournament with an impressive four under par score of 67, for a combined total of 141 after 36 holes in the 54-hole tournament. The ever-composed golfer holds a three-stroke lead over home golfer Delroy Johnson, heading into today’s final 18-hole round.

Newnham, who shot six birdies and one double bogey in his round, believes he accomplished the intended target heading into the final day, but is cognisant that there is more to be done in order to complete the job.

“Today (yesterday) was a lot better, the key for me was playing the par threes better; I played them five over yesterday (Saturday) and I played them one under today, so that was obviously six big shots there. I thought I managed myself a little better overall and played a couple key par putts, but I still think there is room for improvement tomorrow (today),” he told the

Jamaica Observer.

“I didn’t score well on the first day, but I felt like my game was in good shape, so I still felt kind of confident. I only played the par fives two under and the par fives are key out here, so I am going to go out there and try and play those a little better and see what happens,” the Caribbean champion added.

Sandals-based golfer Johnson, who along with national representative Sean Morris achieved a course par score of 71 on the first day, shot a two over par score of 73, which gave him a combined score of 144.

“The course was playing a little bit hard today so I was just taking it a little bit easy and I know there are some guys in this competition who are strong. So with one more day to go we will see what happens; I am three shots behind, so I am going to come out tomorrow and do my best,” Johnson noted.

The other main contenders are still within striking distance, with another Sandals standout, Zandre Roye currently occupying third spot with a combined total of 147, after scoring a three over par 73.

Roye started the day in blazing form, achieving three birdies in a level par score of 36 over the first nine holes, but fell short over the back nine after failing miserably on the green.

Meanwhile, Morris, who started slowly, found his range on the back nine to end with a seven over par score of 78, for a combined total of 149. That score leaves him in fourth position and with some ground to make up.

“Golf is a mental game and as such when you are starting off a round you are trying to look for at least par to start off. I missed a very short putt at one and that kind of set me mentally in the shadows of the round, however, I am going to try to work out whatever issues I had on the green and prepare myself mentally for the next round,” said Morris.

William Knibbs is currently in fifth with a total of 152, after a four over par score of 75, while last year’s Caribbean National Junior champion Romaine Evans out of Sandals Academy is further back with 164. Evans shot a 10 over par score of 81.

Today’s action is scheduled to begin at 8:00 am.