Hirsch, who beat Bermudian Robert Vallis in the final last year, is the man to beat in this the 65th playing of the tournament. Another low handicapper, Michael Rose of Pennsylvania, will try to do that today when he takes on the champion.

"I know Michael,'' said the three-time champion. "I've played him before, he's a fine player and it should be a good match.'' Rose was tipped as one of the players who could possibly make a bid for Hirsch's title but his round of 85 in difficult conditions in Tuesday's qualifying round does not reveal much about his game. Yesterday, he had a three-and-two triumph over Dave Purcell.

Hirsch did not have things his own way against Lauchlan, explaining that they both played better on the back nine.

"I played a real good back nine, but I played sort of average on the front nine,'' Hirsch said.

"Alex is a tough player. Neither of us played particularly well on the front nine but both of us played good on the back nine.'' Hirsch shot an 80 in a practice round on Tuesday while the rest of the field were chasing qualifying spots. The windy conditions did not make it easy for any of the players.

"Mid Ocean is designed with the wind in mind,'' Hirsch added. "This afternoon it was quite windy. The course plays beautifully when the wind is charging. I enjoy it so much more when the wind is kicking 25 to 30 miles an hour.'' There are still some quality players left in the championship flight after the first round produced no major upsets, though a couple of low handicappers were eliminated.

Top amateurs Scott Mayne, who has been tipped to meet Hirsch in the 36-hole final on Saturday, and Hav Trott will carry Bermuda's hopes.

Mayne, the medallist, had a comfortable eight-and-seven win over visitor Don Zagoran yesterday while Trott had to go two extra holes to get past one handicapper Rick Cunha in the day's longest match.

After just barely qualifying with an 88, Bermudian Barry DeCouto saw his luck run out when he was beaten comfortably seven and six by scratch player Jim Stahl of Cincinnati, Ohio, while another local to fall in the championship round was Darren Swan who lost to Gunnar Bennett, a one handicapper.

Stahl, a friend of Hirsch's, is playing in his first local tournament.

"It (course) is very good and very hard,'' he said.

"This is my first time to Bermuda and I'm still finding my way around. Our wives are here to play golf as well.'' In match-ups between local residents, Tony Readwin beat Zane DeSilva six and five, veteran Jack Wahl beat David Ezekiel two-up and Bill Brewer defeated Winston (Coe) Trott two and one.

Two handicapper Doug Clark, who missed last year's championships because of bad weather in the United States, faces a tough match today against local resident Arthur Jones who is playing off a four handicap.

Bennett meets David Sezna in another interesting match while local interest will centre around the all-Bermuda clash between Jack Wahl and Hav Trott.

Malcolm Burgess can expect a tough time with Stahl.

The championship flight matches start at 9.48 this morning.

HAV TROTT -- Takes on veteran Jack Wahl in today's second round.