Jarryd Dillas got off to a flying start during the opening round of the 2002 Callaway Junior World Championships currently underway at the Torrey Pines golf course in San Diego, California.

After shooting a superb one under par 71 on the 7,227 yards par 72 course on Tuesday to earn himself tied second place in the boys 15-17 age bracket, Dillas now says he's confident that he can go onto better things - especially in the knowledge that the course's long fairways are playing to his strengths.

He also tapped in a handsome six birdies during his last round to remain two strokes behind the leader, holing birdies on the tenth, 15th, 17th, 18th to make the turn at one under.

Dillas also had a double bogey on the par three 11th.

But after paring the first three holes on the back nine he would again have to settle for a bogey on the fifth hole.

However, Dillas managed to bounce back elegantly, closing with further birdies on the sixth and seventh holes before saving par on the par three eighth hole - designated as the day's final hole.

Dillas pointing out that his group had to "split tees" and begin their round at the ninth hole because of the large field of 214 competing on the course.

Ironically, the leader in Dillas' age group just happens to be an Australian who goes by the name of Michael Sim, not too dissimilar to Bermuda's own top golfer Michael Sims.

Sim shot an opening round of 69.

"I feel very confident out there right now," said Dillas.

"I'm not too worried if I make a bogey because I also feel that I can make some birdies to get back into contention.

"I'm hitting the ball very well. I'm driving it extremely well and finding a lot of the fairways. That's making it a lot easier to hole the greens."

Dillas relishes the longer fairways the most.

"My length is really an advantage out here," he said. "The course being so long they have very long par fours which makes it harder for some of the shorter playing competitors who are hitting with a lot of long irons.

"It's a long course and I am using my long hitting to my advantage."

Meanwhile, fellow Bermudian Aaron James' woes continued on Tuesday after he shot 80 during the opening round after a promising start.

James was two over entering the back nine before his driver let him down and he consistently failed to make the greens, carding three triple double bogeys for the day.

James is also competing in the same age group as Dillas.

Young Tyler Marshall who is competing among the boys 13-14 age group for the Junior Worlds, meanwhile, shot a 75 at the Steele Canyon golf course on Tuesday.