Not even the presence of a cold could stifle the sizzling prowess of aspiring local golfer Jarryd Dillas in the sunshine state yesterday.

Grappling with a sore throat and a slight fever, the local teenager carded a superb opening round of two under par 69 on the 6,700 par 71 course at Biltmore Golf Club in Coral Gables, Florida - a display that earned him a one stroke lead at the top of the leader board after day one of the 2002 Orange Bowl Junior Golf Championships.

Dillas, who was extended an invitation to compete after clinching the Junior World Matchplay Championship at Riddell's Bay here in Bermuda in July, tapped in seven birdies and salvaged par on seven holes yesterday.

The only blots on his copybook were a double bogey at three and bogeys at four, seven and one more on the back nine.

He made the turn even at 35 and capped off a outstanding opening round with an equally fine one under par 34 on the way in.

There are currently 80 junior champions from various regions around the globe competing in Florida.

"I got off to a really good start birdying the opening two holes but I doubled number three and bogeyed four," Dillas recalled.

"It was really a rocky front nine. I made a lot of good shots but also a few really bad ones as well."

Dillas' play improved after the turn, he said.

"I played a lot more consistent on the back nine - a lot more solid making par," he said. "I had three birdies (11, 13 and 18), five pars and a sole bogey."

Dillas said he was enjoying playing in Florida's warm conditions and said the condition of the course also helped.

"It's real nice. The temperature is around 70 degrees and a little breezy," said Dillas.

"The course is in great shape and the greens are rolling well. It's a little wet out here because we had a bit of rain."

As for the nagging fever, Dillas said: "I am actually fighting a little sore throat and cold at the moment but other than that I feel good. At least I am playing a lot better than I feel."

He attributes his current form to additional practice.

"I had taken a week off to practice more at the (David Leadbetter) Academy under some of the instructors there and I have really found my game to be getting a lot better," he said.

Dillas will hope be hoping his form holds when second round action gets underway this morning.