Montgomery Country Club, led by professional Frank Ferguson, surged in to a commanding three-shot lead at the half-way stage of the annual Goodwill Golf Tournament yesterday.

A blistering 18-under par 52 at Belmont Hills, the lowest score in the event so far, added to a first day 60 at Port Royal, left Montgomery on a net total of 112 ? three better than second-placed Redding CC who turned in an impressive 57 at Tucker's Point yesterday.

First day leaders Avila Golf and Country Club, led by multiple Bermuda champion Tim Conley, slipped from first to third after a 58 at Mid Ocean Club yesterday to stand on 116.

However, Avila remain on top of the gross division standings with a 17-under-par total of 124, two better than the Country Club of Orange Park and The National Golf Club who are tied for second on 126.

Montgomery lie fourth in the gross standings on 127.

In the professional championship which is being decided on individual stableford, Conley, a former winner of the Bermuda Open, the Belmont Invitational and Lobster Pot pro tournament, has taken a nine-point lead after amassing 48 points during his two rounds so far.

Shaun Powers of Huntington CC and Ron Philo of the Country Club of Vermont are tied for second in the junior division with 39 points.

A familiar name, meanwhile, leads the senior professional division.

Bob Duval, father of PGA Tour star David Duval and representing the Country Club of Orange Park, has collected 41 points to lead by seven from former Belmont Invitational winner Gordon Leslie of the National Varsity Golf Club.

More than 90 clubs from Bermuda, the USA and Canada are competing in the four-day event which sees each team play at Port Royal, Belmont Hills, Mid Ocean Club and Tucker's Point.

The third round is scheduled today and the final round tomorrow.