A new Johnnie Walker Classic champion will be crowned at Ocean View Golf Course this weekend.

Daniel Augustus, who is presently based in the United States, where he competes on various mini tours, will not be back to defend his title.

“Unfortunately Daniel can’t make it back,” Brian Morris, the Ocean View head professional,“ confirmed.

The 34-year-old professional, who also holds the 18-hole course record at the Devonshire layout of ten-under 60, produced one of the most stunning comebacks in local golf history on the way to a maiden title at last year’s event.

He rallied from a seven-shot deficit to win the 36-hole championship by a comfortable four shots.

Among those expected to be in the hunt for Augustus’s vacant title are fellow professionals Camiko Smith and Chaka DeSilva, along with amateurs Jarryd Dillas and Damian Palanyandi.

Smith is fresh off equalling a tournament record during the second round of the Butterfield Bermuda Championship at Port Royal Golf Course last month.

He shot a bogey-free six-under 29 on the back nine at the par-71 Southampton course to become only the third player to achieve the feat in tournament history.

Mid Ocean Club professional DeSilva won the 2019 Johnnie Walker Classic and is also fresh off making his debut in the Butterfield Bermuda Championship.

Dillas won the amateur division at the 2019 Johnnie Walker Classic, while Palanyandi finished runner-up to last year’s winner Eric West, who is not back to defend his title.

Palanyandi, the reigning Bermuda Stroke Play champion, is coming in with momentum having made his debut in the Butterfield Bermuda Championship last month.

He is only the second local amateur behind Dillas to qualify for the PGA Tour event.

“I expect all the pros to be in contention and Jarryd Dillas and Damian Palanyandi to be up in the running,” added Morris, who is also among the field and fresh off making his debut at the recent Butterfield Bermuda Championship after being extended a sponsor exemption.

“OJ Pitcher is back after a little absence from his accident. We also have the Ocean View pros who you can never count out; Delyone Borden, myself and Chris Smith, who just finished winning the Wilfred Fray Memorial tournament at Ocean View.”

There is added incentive for amateur players to put their best foot forward.

“They actually use this as a points round for the amateurs to achieve points to represent Bermuda,” Morris said.

“I expect it to be a high level tournament with high quality players and the golf course is in great shape right now.

Morris is expecting a large group and believes the tournament, which he described as the best of his kind on island, will provide the platform for top performances.

“I am expecting a full field. We have 69 of the best players in Bermuda and that just shows you the quality of the tournament,” Morris said.

“Like it or not, it’s probably the best amateur tournament on the island that goes without saying, just by the quality of the players and the quality of the guys that sign up,” said Morris. “I have to thank Ezekiel Stoneham from Burrows Lightbourne for their sponsorship. This is the fifth year.”