Clark Sonnenberg produced another solid display to distance himself from the rest of the field in the penultimate round of the Butterfield Bermuda Junior Championship at Port Royal Golf Course today.

Starting his round tied for the lead with fellow American Nicholas Lyman at one under, the 18-year-old shot 69 that left him all alone at the summit with a comfortable five-shot advantage with 18 holes remaining.

Sonnenberg’s impressive round contained seven birdies, including three in succession on the front nine at the Southampton layout.

“I hit it really well off the tee and put myself in play,” he told The Royal Gazette.

“In the springtime at home it’s windy, so I am used to the wind and bad weather, and today I putted really well. I made a lot of good birdie putts and par saves, so definitely the putting was the most important.”

The Albuquerque, New Mexico resident will be looking to make further inroads towards his title bid in the final round tomorrow.

“The job is not finished,” Soonenberg said.

“I have a lead now, but what matters is if I have a lead after the round tomorrow. So I am going to keep the same mindset; not get excited, not get sad.”

Tied for second at two over are William Lisle, of Hong Kong, and American Gabe Schmitz.

Another five shots back tied for fourteenth at seven over is Oliver Betschart, who maintained his lead among the local contingent.

“I think I played quite well,” said the 15-year-old, who carded a one over-72.

“Had a good front nine, one under. Definitely made more putts than I did yesterday. Stroke felt better and made better contact as well.

“It was definitely trickier out there with the wind, which I think gave me a bit of the advantage being able to practise in it pretty much on a daily basis here.”

Carlee Meilleur, who is a friend of Betschart, shot 73 to take a four shot lead at the summit in the girls division at one under.

“My game felt pretty good today,” said the Canadian, who held a share of the lead with Samantha Chiou, from California, heading into the round.

“Definitely trickier conditions compared to yesterday, but I played shot by shot.

“I knew I had to let the wind be my friend and play with it instead of against it.

“My best friend Oliver Betschart was able to give me some tips on playing in the wind.”

Chiou is tied for second with fellow California resident Ann-Sophie Bourgault and Canadian Ein Kim at three over.

Sienna Mosquera is the only local in the girls division and sits at the bottom of the leaderboard at 39 over.

Scores