Bermudian golfers continued to make their presence felt on the world stage yesterday as pro Eric West qualified for this year's Tour de las Americas in dramatic fashion, birdieing the final two holes to finish in a three-way tie for sixth at the Bonaventure Country Club in Fort Lauderdale.

West shot a two-under-par 70 to finish the tournament at an even par 288, after starting the day in fourth with the primary objective of earning exemption to the Tour de las Americas for the next 12 months well within his reach.

The 24-year-old golfer birdied the par-three 17th and par-four 18th to come flying through in the clutch and did not hesitate to express his relief after making the qualifying grade under enormous pressure, with tensions running high.

"I knew my back was up against the wall. I needed to come through, and I did!" he exclaimed.

With three holes left to play, West, who gained early momentum when he eagled the par-five, seventh hole, came slightly undone on the way to 16, where he eventually carded a bogey, after landing in a hazard and lipping out attempting to save par.

But the Bermudian quickly regained his poise and came roaring back with successive birdies at the death to complete his lowest round of the tournament, and finish level with Venezuelans Juan Berastegui and Alfredo Adrian who carded identical four-under-par 68 yesterday.

"My putting hadn't been particularly good the entire day other than the eagle putt and so I knew what I had to do," noted West, who also had two bogeys. "This is one of the first times as a pro I've come through knowing that my back was up against the wall.

"The course was pretty tough; there was water on about every hole. The conditions were also very challenging, particularly during the first three days when it was really windy.

"The greens were not good while it was also difficult getting up and down and making putts. But I'm just happy I birdied the last two holes and came through in the end."

Argentina's Estanislao Goya, who fired a record low 11-under-par 61 during the opening round, won the event by a comfortable nine-shot margin over Colombia's Juan Hoyas with compatriot Luciano Dodda a further seven shots back in third.

The 2008 Tour de las Americas kicks off March 27, but West is scheduled to tee off his tour season at the $180,000 Colombia Masters in Bogota next month.

• Tournament favourites and past winners Robert Vallis and Blake Marshall advanced to today's semi-final round of the 2008 Amateur Match Play Championships at Mid Ocean Club yesterday.

Marshall defeated Bill Jenks two and one, while Vallis had to go two extra holes to finally see off the threat of Peter Smith.

Also progressing to the semis were Paul Amess, who ousted former national team cricketer Graham Strange one-up and Anthony Mocklow who defeated Cy Kilgore five and four.

In the women's event, favourite Kim Botelho continued her impressive form as she beat Brenda McLean four and three to advance to the final four.

Katrin Burnie defeated Wendy Salvia two-up, Deborah Jamgochian beat Ann Symonds four and two and Helen Stovell got by Ann Mitchell six and five to also book their places in the final four.