Jarryd Dillas got his title defence off to a good start in the opening round of the Bermuda Stroke Play Championship at Port Royal Golf Course on Friday.

The top amateur shot an even-par 71 which left him tied for first with Alex Barker.

“I played well today. The greens were punched a couple of weeks ago, so the biggest challenge was staying patient with the putter,” Dillas told The Royal Gazette.

“I’m off to a good start. Just need to keep hitting fairways and greens over the weekend, and then hope the bounces go my way.”

Eric West is one shot off the leaders after coming in at one-over 72.

A bunch of players are within five shots of the lead, among them promising Saltus Grammar School student Arman Newton, Will Haddrell and Cornell Bean Jr.

Sienna Mosquera set the early pace among the ladies division.

The 19-year-old came in at one-over to earn a nine-shot advantage over nearest rival, defending champion Tracy Burgess who carded a ten-over 81 to get her title defence off to a rocky start.

Kim Botelho sits in third, a farther shot back, with Linda Down another shot back in fourth.

Robert Vallis leads the senior men’s division by five shots after firing a two-over 73.

Tony Ravenda sits in second, four shots adrift of the leader, and Gary Burnet in third another two shots back.

A new senior men’s champion will be crowned this year as Nick Fernandez has not returned to defend his title.

Grayson Tavares leads the junior division by one shot over Joshua Cann, with ten-year old Saltus student Bradford Laing another shot adrift in third.

Arthur Cooper leads the stableford format by three points over second place Jacob Garrett. Nicholas Gakundi sits in third, a farther three points off the lead pace.