Jarryd Dillas will begin his Bermuda Match Play Championship title defence at Mid Ocean Club today.

The top amateur golfer will lay his title on the line against Jevon Roberts after enjoying a bye in yesterday’s first round.

Dillas is bidding to become only the third golfer to win three consecutive Bermuda Match Play Championships this year.

Others expected to be in the hunt among this year’s record low field are former winner Blake Marshall and Fraser Hunt who also had first round byes.

Marshall has been pitted against Ian Page in today’s second round while Hunt, who recently returned to the Island, will take on Leroy Robinson.

Yesterday’s men’s championship flight first round action saw Robinson beat Scott Barnett four and three, Roberts handed former Western Stars cricketer Gary Brangman a five and three loss while Page defeated Walter Jackson by the same margin.

In remaining men’s championship flight matches Sergio Edness got past Gregory (Powerband) Steede five and four while Spencer Wideman defeated Bailey’s Bay cricketer Roddy Masters seven and six.

In the men’s senior flight David Haigh handed Eric Robinson a five and four loss while Winston Robinson and Joseph Bertazon recorded one up and four and two wins against Steve Hickmott and tennis player Jerome Bradshaw respectively.

Bill Black also advanced after first round opponent and well-known football referee Richard Knight was forced to withdraw through injury.

This year will see a new champion crowned in the Ladies Division as last year’s winner Tariqah Walikraam is unable to defend her title due to school commitments.

Among those expected to be in the hunt for Walikraam’s vacant title are past champion Katrin Burnie and four-time Senior Stroke Play champion Kathy Lloyd Hines.

Top seed Burnie survived a close call in yesterday’s first round after coming from behind to beat the eighth seeded Lori Goodwin one up.

Burnie will now take on Ann Symonds in today’s second round at Mid Ocean.

Yesterday’s remaining Ladies first round matches saw Symonds prevail against Sandy Hutchings seven and six, Hines beat Tracy Burgess four and three while Linda Down beat Betty-Ann Sudbury one up.

Bermuda Golf Association manager and tournament director Scott Roy said numbers in this year’s Bermuda Match Play Championship are down considerably due to work commitments and late withdrawals.