Canadian Ian Doig fired a superb five-under-par 66 to take a three shot lead after yesterday's opening round of the Bermuda Open at Port Royal.

The former three-time Belmont Invitational winner mastered yesterday's sunny yet slightly breezy conditions, carding five birdies and one eagle - on the par five seventh hole - to emerge as the tournament's early pacesetter.

Doig carded four of his birdies and the eagle on what ultimately proved to be a tame front nine, made even less challenging by ideal pin placements.

Visiting pro T.R. Jones carded a more than respectable 69 to move into second place on his own while former US PGA Tour player P.H Horgan, who won the Bermuda Open back in the 1980s, Jay Dolan and Michael Nickell all finished a further shot back on 70 in a three-way tie for third.

Bermuda's two-time defending champion Dwayne Pearman, meanwhile, carded a one over par 72 to complete the opening round in another three-way tie for ninth.

Another local pro, Chris Smith, fired a two-over 73.

Here playing on his honeymoon, Doig wasted little time settling into a steady rhythm, tapping in birdies on both the second and third holes.

The Canadian then continued his assault on the course, carding another birdie on five, an eagle on seven before closing out the opening nine holes with another birdie on nine. He made the turn in a sensational six-under-par 30.

Doig, whose opening round fell one stroke shy of the official course record of 65 set in the 1990s by Andrew Pitts, tapped in for another birdie at 17 while carding only two bogeys at number ten and on the final hole in front of a small gallery of onlookers.

Moments after signing his scorecard, Doig made a hasty retreat to attend another engagement.

Unlike his Canadian rival's near flawless game, Pearman had to contend with what he later described as a "poor putting" game.

"My putter just wasn't hot today," he lamented. "I hit the ball fairly well. It wasn't all over the place - though I did make one or two bad shots.

"The conditions were not too bad out there today - a bit breezy but nothing to really get uptight about. But overall I'm pleased and I think I played a respectable round of golf. I just have to keep focused on my game and hopefully I can hang in there with the leaders.

"Hopefully, if I can get my putting game going and continue hitting the ball as good as I managed today, everything should be alright. I just didn't make anything today."

Meanwhile, local senior Michael (Tracy) Tavares shot a four-over 75 to lead the amateur field over David Allison and Monte Chittum, who both carded 76. Another local, Adrian Crockwell, currently lies third among the amateurs after shooting an eight-over-par 79.

Despite a left shoulder injury, veteran local pro Eardley Jones returned a nine-over 80. Jones has competed in every Bermuda Open since its inception in 1967.

Conversely, 13-year-old Mark Phillips, making his debut in the annual event, also fired an 80. Phillips is believed to be the youngest ever player to compete in the Open.

Following a reduction in sponsorship, there is no senior division in this year's championships.