Issa moves back into top five at CAC Games

PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic:

Jamaican golfer Mattea Issa continued her steady ascent up the leaderboard on day three of the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games, firing a hard-fought two-over-par 74 to climb into fifth place at the Corales Golf Club.

With a three-day total of 227, Issa sits just two strokes behind Mexico’s Maria Fernanda Solis and five shots adrift of Venezuela’s Alexandra Gilly Lora, who currently occupies the bronze-medal position.

While the podium remains within striking distance, Issa’s round was a tale of resilience and the ability to bounce back.

The Jamaican’s day was a rollercoaster from the start.

After opening with two steady pars, Issa stumbled with a bogey on the par-three fourth hole.

Showing immediate character, she retaliated on the very next hole, the par-five fifth, where she drained a birdie to get back on track.

However, the momentum was short-lived as she gave the shot right back with a bogey on the par-four fifth.

Undeterred, Issa closed out the front nine in style, carding a birdie on the par-three ninth to make the turn at two-over-par.

The back nine proved to be a gritty battle against the challenging Corales layout.

Issa navigated the inward stretch with two bogeys, but she found another birdie opportunity on the par-four 13th.

As she has done all tournament, she finished strong to sign for her second consecutive 74, solidifying her position in the top five heading into the final round.

While Issa held her ground, the day belonged to Colombia’s Maria Bohorquez, who delivered a masterclass.

Bohorquez lit up the course with a blistering six-under-par 66, a round that vaulted her from the chasing pack to the top of the leaderboard.

Her tournament total of 213 (71-76-66) now gives her a two-shot cushion over Puerto Rico’s Maria Torres Martinez, who sits at 215 after rounds of 70, 76, and 69.

In the men’s competition, Jamaican Oshae Haye showcased significant improvement, posting his best round of the tournament so far.

Haye carded a third-round 73, following his second-round 79 and opening 84.

Despite the positive momentum, his total of 236 leaves him in 14th place, trailing the runaway leader Manuel Toledo of Guatemala.

Toledo has set a formidable pace, holding the top spot with a commanding total of 200.

With the fourth and final round scheduled for today, all eyes will be on Issa as she looks to make one final push for the podium, while Haye will seek to close out the competition on a high note.