Sport

Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

Jamaica's Phillip Prendergast, who had the best score for the second day running, holds a four-point lead in the major segment going into today's third and final day of the 15th annual Caribbean Classic Golf Tournament, which is being played in Montego Bay on the resort town's three premier courses - Cinnamon Hill, White Witch and Half Moon.

Phillip Prendergast, who is competing in the men's First Flight, scored 48 points, which is two less than the 50 he accumulated on Thursday's first day. It gives him a combined total of 98 points.

Prendergast's Jamaican team-mate Radcliff Knibbs, who was second at the end of first day, stayed in second position after scoring 45 points for a tally of 94.

"The conditions were quite good, but I don't believe I played as well as I did on the first day," said Prendergast. "Nonetheless, I am feeling quite good and looking forward to another good performance on tomorrow's (today) final day."

Unlike conventional golf, the Caribbean Classic is being played according to the modified Stableford format, which is a strokeplay series in which the high total wins.

The women

On the women's side, Michelle Gabay, the most successful Jamaican at the end of the first day - finishing second behind Carol Brown of Turks & Caicos in the Ladies Third Flight, had an excellent second day. She accumulated 39, which gives her a combined total of 80.

That left her in a three-way tie for first with Brown and Amoy Chang Fong of Trinidad & Tobago.

"I shot two strokes better than my first day score," said an elated Gabay, whose score was one shot better than her handicap. "I shot an eagle on the second hole and followed up with a birdie. It was a fantastic day for me and I am delighted."

Overall, it was an excellent day for Jamaica, which is seeking to dethrone reigning champions the US Virgin Islands, as well as retaining the George Noon Cup, symbol of amateur golf supremacy in the Caribbean.

In addition to the men's First Flight, which has Prendergast and Knibbs leading the pack, Jamaica lead the men's Second Flight, through Carl Bruce, who scored 46 points today for an overall total of 89; the men's Third Flight, with Errol McKenzie, who scored 30 for an overall total of 80; and the men's Fourth Flight, through Teddy Richards, who scored 43 for a combined total of 79.