Scott Barnett overcame challenging conditions to grab the early lead in the Bermuda Stroke Play Championships at Port Royal Golf Course yesterday.

He holds a one-shot advantage over Damian Palanyandi after carding an opening round of even-par 71.

Barnett got off to a flyer after rattling in birdies on the first two holes.

He remained on cruise control at two under through five holes but dropped shots at the par-four 6th and par-three 8th holes to make the turn at even par.

Barnett’s start on the back nine was in stark contrast to the front, as he bogeyed two of the first three holes to go to two over.

However, he managed to regain his footing and carded birdies at the par-four 15th and par-five 17th to finish at even par.

Breathing down Barnett’s neck is Palanyandi, whose 72 contained three birdies and four bogeys.

Mikus Ming is a farther two shots back in third after carding a three-over 74 that included four birdies, five bogeys and a double bogey at the par-four 1st hole.

Eric West, the defending champion, is fourth after carding a five over 76 that contained a birdie, an eagle at the par-five 17th and eight bogeys.

West was six over through ten holes but managed to stop the rot to remain in contention.

Perennial champion Jarryd Dillas is a shot back on 77, left to rue two disastrous holes — at the 1st and 14th — where he lost a combined seven strokes to par. He was one under otherwise.

Tracy Nash and Kim Botelho are the joint leaders in the women’s division after carding identical rounds of ten over 81.

Katrin Burnie, Katyna Rabain and Linda Down are tied for third at 15 over, 86 with Tracy Burgess and Rebecca Haak tied for sixth a further shot back.

A new champion will be crowned in the women’s division as last year’s winner Tariqah Walikraam has since turned professional.

Arthur Jones has the early lead in the senior men’s field after carding an even-par 71 from the white tees.

Ian Page and defending champion Calvin Hendrickson are tied for second at five-over 76.

Steve Hickmott and Hav Trott are tied for third at 82.

Nash holds the outright lead in the senior women’s division by five shots over Burnie, Rabain and Down, who are tied for second with Burgess alone in fifth.

A new champion will also be crowned in the senior women’s division as last year’s winner, Anne O’Neill, no longer resides on island.