James Godwin is the early leader in the Men’s Championship Division of the Bermuda Stroke Play Championships after shooting an opening score of 71 at Port Royal yesterday to finish one stroke better than defending champion Damian Palanyandi.

The tournament got under way in unsettled weather conditions, but Godwin was steady in his even-par round to hold a slim lead going into today’s second round.

Conditions could be a factor with rain in the forecast for this weekend, with the three-day tournament wrapping up tomorrow.

Adam Perry is in third place after carding a three-over par 74.

In the Women’s Division, Ebonie Cox holds a commanding nine stroke lead over defending champion Kim Botelho and Tracy Burgess after shooting an opening gross round 76.

Botelho and Burgess both carded rounds of 85. Burgess is completing in the women’s senior category, as is Katrin Burnie and Linda Down who recorded gross scores of 86 and 89 to be in contention.

The Senior Men’s Division is being closely contested with Hav Trott and Chris Phillips finishing with scores of 76 followed by Arthur Jones two strokes back on 78.