Embroiled in controversy with organisers of the Goodwill Tournament here last December, Whalley not only returned to Bermuda but yesterday helped shoot his Meadowbrook Golf Club team into the lead at the 21st annual Lobster Pot Invitational Tournament at Castle Harbour.

Led by Whalley, the Reading, Massachusetts club rebounded from Monday's 133 total for a second-day score of 122 and a five-stroke lead in the net division over Sagamore Golf Club -- led by former Castle Harbour golf director Tom Smack.

First day leaders Huntington stumbled to a 138 and a tie for sixth-place at 266.

Whalley is a veteran of the annual Goodwill Tournament but was initially prohibited from using a substitute after badly injuring his wrist in the previous week's Belmont Invitational.

Meadowbrook probably wouldn't have minded substituting a couple of scores yesterday after their 141 gross total left them in tenth spot in that division.

Smack's Sagamore team had a 138 gross and with a 281 total enjoy a five-shot edge on Woburn and two on Belmont, both of Massachusetts, heading into Friday's third and final round.

The tournament pro with the highest profile, Bruce Devlin, saw his Desert Mountain team shoot a 131 net and 144 gross, good for eighth and ninth respectively. Ben Wright's Champion Hills Club failed to make the cut in net.

Today sees the Lobster Pot Charity Pro-Am while tomorrow is set aside for the individual pro and amateur championships.