ROSE HALL, St James — American Brad Gehl yesterday took over the lead in the rain-affected BMW Jamaica Classic, a PGA Latinoamerica tour event being held at Cinnamon Hills golf course in Rose Hall, St James.

He shot a three under par 69 in the second round for a two-day total of nine under par 135.

Gehl had shot a six under par 66 on Thursday’s first day to trail Jared Wolfe, but after being one of less than half the 144-man field to complete both rounds, has a slim one-shot lead over compatriot Tee-K Kelly who is on eight under, also shooting a three under par 69 yesterday.

Jared Wolfe, the first-round leader, slipped to third place, but has the second round to come, while Mexico’s Gerardo Ruiz and American Conner Godsey, Jose Toledo of Honduras as well as Americans Drew Page and Blake Olson, all on seven under par scores.

The event, which is being held in the English-speaking Caribbean for the first time, has been badly hampered by weather conditions and the second round will be completed early today before the start of the third round.

Reports are that the tournament could be shortened from a four-round 72-hole event to a three-round 54-hole tournament if the poor weather persists as the organisers are not planning to go into Monday.

That decision will be taken today, the Jamaica Observer learned.

There was a near three-hour suspension of play on Thursday due to lightning, and the poor weather that has been affecting the island, all but wrecked yesterday’s play, forcing another suspension.

A number of players, including Wolfe, played less than three of their second-round holes late yesterday and will continue this morning when play is scheduled to get under way at 7:15 am.

Also, projections are for the midway cut to be at two under par after two rounds and that could eliminate all the Caribbean players, but Jamaica’s Fabian Campbell had shot a one over 73 on the first round, but was still to start his second round late yesterday.

Gehl, despite a double bogey on 14th hole, yesterday beat the poor weather and the tough course to take over the lead and put himself in a position to make a run at the title over the last two days.

He had a one under par 34 for the front nine after teeing off on the 10th hole and had a second on the 12th to be eight under for the tournament, but then gave back both shots on the 14th when he needed six shots on the par four hole.

He recovered well, however, when he played the final three in three under par with an eagle on the final hole.

Kelly was steady for most of the day with five birdies, but for back-to-back bogies on the third and fourth holes could have been in the lead after yesterday’s play.

Campbell is still the best-placed Caribbean player after just one round, Orville Christie is five over par after just 15 holes; amateur Sean Morris is nine over also after 15 holes, while Sebert Walker Jr is still on 11 over par 83 after one round and Zandre Roye is two shots behind.