Americans dominate first round of Ja Open
ROSE HALL, St James — American senior professional Ron Schroeder lead the field after yesterday’s opening day of the LIME Jamaica Open after shooting a five-under 67 at the Half Moon Course.
The 53-year-old Texas resident shot seven birdies to lead nine players, including Jamaica’s Dermott Warren, under par on a cool, overcast day.
Americans occupied the top spots with Ricky Touma and Martin Catalioto a shot back on 68, Dustin Risdon and New Zealand’s Grant Waite on 69, and Chris Richards, Billy Houle and Warren on 70.
Three-time defending champion, Johnny Bloomfield of Jamaica, is one over 73, six shots off the lead.
Bloomfield started steadily with an even par 36 on the front nine, but ran into problems on the back nine.
“Today was a bit of a struggle getting the ball in the hole early to make birdies,” he told the Observer. He bogied the 10th and 15th and double-bogied the 13th before notching birdies on the 16th and 17th.
