Jamaica's Delroy Cambridge at Half Moon yesterday.
-Contributed photo
Tym Glaser, Associate Editor - Sport
JAMAICA'S EUROPEAN Seniors Tour star Delroy Cambridge surged into contention for the Digicel Jamaica Classic crown with a near flawless second round at the Half Moon course in Montego Bay yesterday.
Florida-based Cambridge fired a superb 69 to be in equal third position and only two strokes off the lead going into today's final round.
His gross score of six-under 138 (69-69) is bettered by only those of new leader Frenchman Philippe Dugeny, who complemented his opening effort of 70 with the day's best round of 66 for an eight under total of 136 and Australian Terry Gale (68-69-137) who, along with the long-hitting Cambridge, is the only player to play in the 60s both days.
There were showers and the windy conditions but the smart-looking course played well again and Cambridge was happy to take advantage in a tournament which is of obvious significance to him.
"I've had four wins on the Tour but this would be very important to me as a Jamaican," Cambridge, 54, said after an extensive practice session following yesterday's round.
"This would mean a great deal as I am running with the torch handed over by Seymour (Rose) 20 years ago. This would probably be one of my biggest achievements.
"I didn't start out very well last year and if I started as well as I have this year I could have won," he said.
Cambridge's round included four birdies and only a solitary bogey.
After a topsy-turvy day on the leaderboard, Cambridge said he will occasionally look at the scores during today' final round of the 54-hole event.
"I will look at the leaderboards now and then to see know where I stand and see what I have to do but basically I just have to do my job. Gale is playing very well because he
won last week in Italy and is a hot player but if I'm playing well I'm not worried about anybody. You can only worry about your own game."
Gale, for his part, believes a score of 10 under could be a winning one.
"If someone offered me 10-under tonight I'd take it," said the Western Australian who captained the likes of Dennis Lillee, Rodney Marsh and Bruce Yardley in state Colts cricket.
"I think the course is playing a little easier than it did last year. It was still in good shape last year but the wind is playing more of a factor this year," he said.
First-round leader Luis Carbonetti was unable to complete his opening day heroics and followed his course record 63 with a three-over 75 for a six-under total of 138 which sees him tied for third with Cambridge.
Lurking a further stroke back in fifth is American Jerry Bruner (68-71-139).while England's Ian Mosey is a further shot behind after solid rounds of 71 and 69 (140).
Jamaica's other representative in the tournament, Rose, improved on his opening round of 82 on Friday with a 78 yesterday but remains near he tail of the field.
First tee time today is 8:00.
