Sergio Edness and Blair Marshall led Bermuda?s charge on the second day of the International Junior Golf Championships at blustery Mid Ocean Club yesterday.

But the two Bermudians still find themselves three strokes off the pace as they enter the final round at the Tucker?s Town course today.

Just another shot back is Bermuda?s Daniel Augustus who was one of only two players in the 60-plus field to break 80 yesterday as the high winds wreaked havoc.

Overall leader among the boys (aged 16 to 18) is American Ashish Patel from Schaumberg, Illinois, who added an 81 yesterday to a first round score of 77 for a 36-hole total of 158.

Two other visitors, Jeremy Evans (78-81) and David Marino (81-78), are tied for second on 159.

Edness (78-83) and Marshall (77-84) are bracketed on 161 in a tie for sixth place, while Augustus who fired an impressive 79 yesterday to add to a first-day 83 is on 162.

With the leaderboard bunched, there?ll be plenty at stake today as the top ten finishers all earn automatic exemption to the American National Championships in May at PGA West.

The tournament is being held under the auspices of the Jim MacLean Future Collegians World Tour.

Opening day on Thursday saw Bermuda?s Nick Jones up among the leaders with a fine 77. But he failed to handle the tough conditions yesterday, ballooning to a 98.

Edness had the shot of the day on Thursday, eagling the par four 12th as he holed out with a sand wedge.

The final round tees off at 7.30 a.m. today.