field of competitors for this season's opening of the International Junior Golf Tour. The two-day event was played at Sea View Marriott, Absecon, New Jersey.

By turning in another outstanding performance Mello qualified to play in the IJGT Tommy Hilfiger Tour Championships scheduled for next May.

Mello started the second day after scoring an even par 71, three shots behind Mike Soroka who set a course record of 29 on the back nine.

Mello made a determined effort to close the gap by chipping in on the first green and then came an exciting match as he collected another two shots to draw even with Saroka by the 14th.

Soroka maintained his lead to win over the two days by two strokes with scores of 68 and 74 while Mello had 71 and 73. Mello shot the lowest round of the 112 players on the second day.

"The wind picked up during the second round and I felt at home since we play in a lot of wind in Bermuda. My game was okay but Mike took advantage of my mistakes on the back nine and he played well,'' said Mello.