Camiko Smith will attempt to clear the first hurdle in US Open qualifying when he tees off at the Pinehills Golf Club in Plymouth, Massachusetts, today.

Smith is among the almost 9,000 players competing in various local qualifying events being held across the United States for the 525 available spots for sectional qualifying, the final stage of qualifying for the US Open held at Erin Hills, Erin Wisconsin, from June 12 to 18.

Smith, who has reached the sectional qualifying stage twice, is no stranger to the 7,243 yard, par 72 Jack Nicklaus-designed Pinehills layout.

“I chose up north because I always seem to do well whenever I come here to play for the Open qualifiers,” Smith said. “I saw Pinehills was on the list and so I chose it. I played there four years ago at a qualifier and did well.”

The Bermudian has spent the past several days fine-tuning his skills and getting reacquainted with the New England course.

“It’s nice to get out and refresh myself with the course, get used to it and find out what I need to do, get used to the greens and just go out and play,” he said.

The nephew of Kavin Smith, a former top road runner, heads into today’s qualifier feeling good about his overall game and chances of making the cut.

“I’m hitting the ball well,” Smith said. “I just need to make a few putts, put a score together and go from there. I just have to go out there and post a good number to try and get into sectionals and go from there.”

Smith underlined his potential after reaching the second stage of US Open qualifiers in consecutive years in 2014 and 2015. However, he was not as successful last year, bowing out at the first hurdle at the Longmeadow Country Club in Massachusetts.