Adam Perry is hoping to clinch a spot in the Butterfield Bermuda Championship at the second attempt when he takes on the best golfers on the island in the Local Qualifier at Port Royal Golf Course today.

The 22-year-old came agonisingly close on his first attempt at qualifying for the PGA Tour event as an amateur last year when losing out on the third and final qualifying spot to professional Nick Jones in a thrilling play-off that lasted for five holes.

“That was my first year trying to qualify and I knew I was playing some decent golf, so I was definitely gutted to come up just short,” Perry told The Royal Gazette.

“This year I am not playing as much competition golf and have been working a lot more. But at the end of the day I feel I’ve got the game to compete with the best in Bermuda, so for sure I think I have a good chance at qualifying.

“It’s just going to come down to holing some putts because it definitely feels like I am striking the ball well. I’ve got just as good a chance as anyone to qualify, so we’ll see if I can go one better this year.”

Professional Camiko Smith and amateur Eric West clinched the other two available qualifying spots last year, with Perry securing one of the berths for the Butterfield Bermuda APGA Championship along with professionals Quinton Sherlock Jr and Scott Roy.

Perry is among a host of golfers expected to be in contention in the 36-hole qualifier, along with amateur Oliver Betschart and professional Kenny Leseur, who have already showcased their talents in the main event.

“The young guys have a really good chance of qualifying this year like Kenny, Oliver and myself,” West said. “The young talent has definitely produced some good results this year.

Perry is competing in the Local Qualifier for the first time as a professional after shedding his amateur status in the past year.

“I went pro for the APGA Bermuda Championship last year,” he said. “I was planning on working in the industry, which I am now, so it was a good time to go pro so I could pick up a paycheque while I was at it.”

Jones, Smith and West are back for another shot at qualifying this year and are among a stellar field, which also features Michael Sims, Daniel Augustus, Dwayne Pearman, Anthony Phipps, Chaka DeSilva, Damian Palanyandi and Jarryd Dillas.

Also competing is newly crowned Johnnie Walker Classic champion Sherlock, who will be looking to build on his recent success and secure a spot in the main event for the first time.

“It’s definitely a strong field,” Perry said. “You have all your top golfers back and Daniel Augustus, Camiko Smith, Michael Sims, Damian Palanyandi and Anthony Phipps are all playing some decent golf.

“I think the golf course is going to be playing short, so there should be a lot of scoring opportunities out there. There will be a little bit of wind, but nothing you wouldn’t expect at Port Royal, so it should be good.

“The golf course is definitely in a lot better shape than we’ve seen it in the past at this time of the year, so all credit to them as it is coming along nice.”

Sims, who formerly competed on the Web.com Tour, Pearman, DeSilva, Phipps, Palanyandi and Dillas have also previously competed in the PGA Tour event.

Among the noticeable absentees is 2023 qualifier Roy, who has been ruled out through work commitments.

“A difficult decision to have to miss this year,” Roy said.

“Work has been very busy, so I made the decision to put work first. I have not played much this year and don’t feel ready to compete to the level needed. I am not able to give 100 per cent to this, but I will be ready and stronger for next year.”