Teenager Jarryd Dillas has put himself in position for what would be a superb top ten finish at the 2002 Callaway Junior World Championships in San Diego, California.

The 17-year-old Bermudian lies in 14th place after an impressive third round of two-over-par 74 which left him on a total of 225 - nine shots adrift of leader Benjamin Alvarado of Chile but within striking distance of the top ten.

Dillas was one of 50 players in the 100-plus field who made the third round cut of 232.

Not so fortunate was Bermuda's other representative in the 15-17 age group, Aaron James. He followed up opening rounds of 80 and 82 with a 79 on the tough Torry Pines South course, but his 54-hole total of 241 left him nine strokes shy of the cut.

Dillas had got off a to rousing start early this week when he fired a one-under par 71 to tie for second place after the opening round. But he then slumped to an 80 in the second round before rebounding on Wednesday.

The fourth and final round was due to be played yesterday.

In the 13-15 age group, Bermuda's only entry, Tyler Marshall, also failed to make the 36-hole cut by six shots after rounds of 75 and 81.

The third round leader following rounds of 70-65-65 was Arizona's Philip Francis on 200.

Shortly before heading out for his final round yesterday, Dillas told The Royal Gazette: "I spent some time on the range after my second round and improved my swing a little bit. I started to hit the ball a lot better yesterday (Wednesday), working it a little better to the greens and controlling the shots much better.

"So I was very pleased with yesterday's round, but if I would have made more putts I could have gone lower. I am very happy with the way that I'm hitting the ball.

"They are supposed to stretch the course a few hundred yards today (Friday) to try and make it as difficult as possible.

"And with that in mind I can go out and just try to be aggressive as long as I keep hitting the driver well and hitting both the fairways and greens and really use the length to my advantage.

"I think that nine shots back is a little far with these guys playing good golf, but anything can happen in golf like when I shot an 80 during my second round.

"Right now my main goal is to move up the leaderboard. I am presently tied for 14th so I can still finish in the top ten or even squeak into the top five. And that would be a big improvement on last year."

A year ago Dillas missed the cut by four shots.

Meanwhile, 18-year-olds Fraser Hunt and Eric West have finished tied for second and fourth respectively in the Quebec Junior Championships at Le Club Laval-sur-de-le-Lac in Laval, Quebec.

Both youngsters had chance to win the event coming down the 18th fairway on the final day. But Hunt paid dearly for an errant drive while West, needing a single putt to get into a play-off, ended up three putting.

The event was won by local junior Keven Fortin-Semard who carded a 54-hole total of 221. Hunt finished on 222 and West on 223.

Three other Bermuda players were also in the field, Nick Dunkle carding 235, David Boyce 241 and Ryan Marshall 246.