Kenny Leseur struck a blow for local golf by claiming a share of the lead after the first round of the Gosling’s Bermuda Open at Port Royal Golf Course on Thursday.

The local professional took advantage of the shorter course set-up with a magnificent 67 earning him a share of the lead with England’s James Walker, one of several overseas players in the field, at four under.

Apart from two bad swings on the back nine, Leseur kept the ball on the fairway, hitting 14 greens in regulation to afford himself plenty of scoring opportunities.

The 21-year-old was also steady with the putter, carding six birdies, four of which arrived on a bogey-free front nine, and an eagle at the par-5 17th to thrust himself in early contention for the trophy.

“I played pretty good, the course is playing a little bit shorter and easier today,” Leseur told The Royal Gazette. “The winds are still pretty high but not as bad as it’s going to be on the weekend.

“I got off to a good start and I was five under through ten. I plugged in the bunker on the 13th but made a good bogey there and then I birdied 14 to get back to five under.

“I hit a little bit left on 15 and made double, and I did the same thing on 16 and made bogey. But I was happy to make eagle on 17 to get back to four under and par 18, so other than a couple of bad shots I played really well.”

Leseur was among four Bermudians to complete the round under par, with Michael Sims tied for third at three under after carding a superb 68 that featured six birdies and three bogeys.

“I hit the ball really well and made some putts today,” Sims said.

“I hit ten greens in regulation and a couple of fringes as well and putted a lot better.”

Sims played alongside compatriots and fellow professionals Daniel Augustus and Chaka DeSilva, with both also finishing under par.

DeSilva carded an impressive 69 that contained four birdies and a double bogey at the 15th hole, to grab a share of sixth at two under.

“I’ve been absent from competitive golf for most of this year and it’s been difficult to get back to being able to take a score and bring it home,” he said.

“Today was the first time in a long time I have been successful in that, so I was able to keep a bunch of mistakes off the scorecard and have a decent score.”

Past Bermuda Open champion Augustus shot 70 that included four birdies, an eagle and two bogeys to claim a share of eighth at one under.

“I am in a good position and just have to go out there and continue to play,” he said.

“That’s all I can do and there’s a lot of golf to play. I just have to stay in the moment and not think about the end result. I’m playing some of the best golf I’ve played in a long time and I know the scores will come eventually.”

Camiko Smith came in with an even par 70 that contained four birdies and as many bogeys to earn a share of twelfth.

“It was a mediocre round,” he said. “I made a few birdies, had some good chances to make some birdies, stayed patient and made them.

“Some holes got away from me, the wind just switched on a few holes and made some bogeys.

“I had a good, strong finish to birdie 17 and 18. I made a 30-footer on 18 for birdie and it felt nice to finish on a good note.”

Also tied for twelfth at even par is Bermuda’s Tom Loomes, who leads the local amateur field through 18 holes.

There is plenty at stake at Port Royal with a purse of $40,000 and a place in the Butterfield Bermuda Championship reserved for the winner up for grabs.