European Senior Tour player Jerry Bruner emerged as the early pace setter during yesterday’s opening round of the 2006 Gosling’s Invitational at Belmont Hills.

The 59-year-old American overcame a slow start in blustery conditions to come in at even par 70 and top the tournament’s leaderboard by a single shot over four-time Gosling’s Invitational winner and current Bermuda Open champion Tim Conley.

The start to Bruner’s round proved far from ideal as the Californian dropped three strokes over the opening three holes struggling to cope with swirling winds around the course and hitting out of the rough. He also encountered difficulties negotiating pin placements set at the back of some of the Island’s most notorious sloping greens.

“You had to be careful and try to keep the ball in front of the hole,” Bruner told The Royal Gazette.

“Three-putting on this course is okay. But you don’t want to start missing greens and making bogeys and double bogeys because it certainly makes the day longer.”

Bruner’s round, however, gained much needed momentum at the challenging par-three fourth and par-four eighth holes where the first-time visitor to Bermuda’s shores birdied to make the turn at one-over-par 36.

Adapting an even more cautious approach on the back nine ultimately paid huge dividends as he remained bogey-free over the closing holes to open a slim lead over fellow American Conley.

“ I knew the back side was going to be more demanding. So I just tried to make pars,” Bruner said.

The veteran golfer had a golden opportunity to stretch his lead at the par-five 12th. But an eagle attempt from 20 feet came up short, leaving Bruner with a nine-foot putt for birdie which he nailed.

As for today’s strategy, the overnight leader explained: “I’m just going to play the golf course and try and hit as many fairways and greens as I possibly can and let the putter work for me if it can.

“I can hit the ball fairly low and whenever I have to do so I don’t mind.”

Breathing right down Bruner’s neck is Conley, US PGA Tour player Joe Horowitz (72) and past Bermuda Open champions Ian Doig (73) and Bermuda’s own Dwayne Pearman (74) currently locked in a five-way tie for fifth overall.

Defending champion Delroy Cambridge shot eight over par yesterday to remain in a six-way tie for 21st place.

“Today’s conditions were very tough with players struggling to keep the ball in play in the windy conditions,” commented tournament official Alex Madeiros.

Meanwhile, in the amateur division, Port Royal Superintendent Nick Mansell fired a four-over-par 74 to take a slim one-shot lead over Jerome Bradshaw.

Arthur Lindo and Quinton Sherlock Sr. presently top the senior division by one shot over Noel Van Putten and Adley Madeiros.

Play resumes today at 7 a.m.