Jimmy Jones (FSGA photo)

Half the field did not finish their third rounds including the leader Jimmy Jones, whose 66 yesterday gave him the 36-hole lead over Joey Lane.

Play will resume tomorrow at 9am local time as the remaining groups will complete round three and then tee off for their final rounds.

The senior division, however, did finish their rounds as Dennis Monahan's final round 76 gave him a five-shot victory over Mike Barkley.

ROUND TWO COVERAGE

Jimmy Jones fired the second-lowest round of the tournament today to take the 36-hole lead in the lead at the New Year's Invitational.

The season's opening tournament in the "Majors of Amateur Golf" calendar is being played at St. Petersburg Country Club, a historic course (1924) designed by Herbert Strong.

And while reigning Florida State Amateur champion Jones's round today put him on top, it was the amazing comeback of LSU player Brandon Pierce that turned a few heads. Pierce (Covington, Louisiana) went from out of contention to the top 10 by chopping 15 strokes off of his first round 79 with a tournament-low 64.

Joe Alfieri (Tampa) is running away with the Mid- Amateur division (by 9 over Marc Dull), and after pair of 69's he has his eyes on the bigger prize. Alfieri is tied for third with Jake Kevorkian.

Alone in second is Joey Lane (69-68=137).

The senior division is lead by Dennis Monahan who fired a very solid round of 70 to emerge from a logjam and give himself a 5-shot lead at 144.