Tym Glaser, Associate Editor - Sport
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados:
THE SUN gods finally shone down on the World Golf Championships at the Sandy Lane Country Club but that did little to brighten the spirits of the Jamaica team comprising Delroy Cambridge and Peter Horrobin yesterday.
After soggy practice sessions and a wet opening day on Thursday, conditions were near perfect but, unlike some of their more experienced rivals, the Jamaicans were unable to capitalise and enter today's penultimate day in the 24th and final position with a gross total of plus-six 148, well in arrears of leaders Argentina (131) and out of contention for any great share of the US$4 million in prize money or even a prized top-10 finish.
Jamaica went one-over 72 at the long par-71 course on the opening day and followed that with a 76 yesterday in the foursomes competition, which sees teammates play alternate shots.
They are three behind second-last Barbados who posted a surprise two-under 69 on the opening day but fell back on day two with also a five-over 76.
Started well
It started well for the Jamaicans with a birdie at the par-four third but then went awry as they could manage only one more - at the par-three eight, while amassing five bogeys and a double at the par-four 17th.
The other Caribbean team in the 24-country event, Trinidad and Tobago, started with all guns blazing and carded eagles on the par-four first and third holes before fizzling out on the back nine with four bogeys and a round of 73 for a two-day gross of 143.
At the business end of the standings, the cream continues to stay at the top with Argentina (11-under 131), Germany (134), Sweden (134), surging Scotland (134) and South Africa and Spain (135 each) putting some distance between themselves and the rest of the field. Although a late birdie charge by England from holes 14-17 places them in a solid position at 136.
Scottish favourite
Popular Scot Colin Montgomerie is the fans' favourite here and he believes he and young Marc Warren have a chance to win it all.
"Well, we had six birdies today and he holed them all," the man called 'Monty' said. "We would have taken a 67 before we started, four-under and we are looking forward now to the weekend.
"We (Scotland) finished second at Kiawah Island back in 1997 when I played with Raymond Russell. So we look forward to beating that by one."
Today's round, like the opening day, is four-ball and is expected to attract some big galleries. The crowd turnout has been good to date with Montgomerie and Warren drawing good support along with the hometown pair of James Johnson and Roger Beale Jnr.
First tee time is 7:08 with the leaders getting under way at 9:20.
