Bermuda’s Tracy Burgess made an early exit from the North & South Women’s Amateur Championship in Pinehurst, North Carolina.

The experienced golfer failed to advance to the match play stage of the competition following two qualifying rounds of stroke play at the Pinehurst Resort & Country Club.

Burgess found the going extremely tough competing at the venue’s two courses, including the iconic Pinehurst No 2, which has hosted three US Open Championships.

“Very tough conditions and the course was set for an elite amateur collegiate golf field, which was very challenging for my game,” Burgess told The Royal Gazette. “Pinehurst No 7 course was playing 6,500 yards and No 2 course was set at 6,300.

“Unfortunately, I did not play my best golf and my game was better than the score reflected but it was a valuable experience with an insight into collegiate golf.

“This has inspired me to continue to work harder to improve my game, and thanks to the Bermuda Golf Association for giving me this invaluable opportunity. It is a privilege to represent Bermuda in this very prestigious event.”

Burgess earned the right to represent the island in the event after winning the Bermuda Amateur Match Play women’s round-robin tournament with an unblemished 3-0 record at Port Royal Golf Course in April.

She was left to fly the island’s banner alone in Pinehurst this week when Kenny Leseur became ineligible to compete in the North & South Men’s Amateur Championship after turning professional.

The Bermuda Golf Association was then unable to field a male player at the event with that right reserved solely for the winner of the Bermuda Amateur Match Play Championship, which Leseur won after beating James Godwin 3 and 2 in the final also staged at Port Royal in April.