Defending champion Michael Sims entered yesterday's Bermuda Amateur Strokeplay Championships as the one to watch, the show-stopper...only thing, no one explained this to Aaron James.

Youngster James stole the first round thunder from his more senior counterparts with an opening one-over-par 72 that gave him a two-stroke lead heading into today's second round.

Despite a troublesome breeze and greens made slow by morning rain, James played with confidence and ability beyond his 15 years, carding four birdies to offset three bogeys and a double-bogey.

"I hit the ball really well,'' said James, who played in a threesome with fellow teenagers Chris Smith (76) and Chris Brough (80). "The course was playing good, the wind was up and the rain this morning made the greens a little slower, but they were rolling nice.

"Hitting the ball well was key for me.'' James thrilled onlookers with a spectacular effort on the 507-yard par-five 17th hole in the mode of the now-famous Sergio Garcia shot during last year's PGA Championships. Seemingly lost in the rough amid the casuarina trees, James proceeded to unload a three-iron, firing onto the green and two-putting for birdie. This was followed with another birdie at 18 for good measure.

Earlier, the scenario appeared very much in contrast, as James found himself three over after four holes following a double-bogey at number two and a bogey at four. However, he was able to turn matters around with birdies at the fifth and ninth holes to go out in one over 37.

"It was good to post this score. I'm just happy to post that number so early,'' said James, a product of local golf's youth programme. "The first two days are just for posting the scores, while the real days come in on Saturday and Sunday.

"I'm trying to win the tournament, but there are a lot of good players and I don't want to put too much pressure on myself. I can't get over-excited after bad shots, because you must expect to hit some bad shots on this course.'' James leads Malcolm Burgess, Bill Pitt and Robert Spurling, all of whom carded 74 for the day.

However, just as James found contentment with his performance, so Sims found nothing but contempt for his showing, as the two-time winner ballooned to an opening 10-over 81.

Sims began the day with a bogey at the first hole and things never improved as he battled the elements, the course, but mostly himself throughout yesterday's outing.

"It was getting very frustrating out there,'' said Sims, who opened with a 70 a year ago on his way to the title. "It seemed like there was Saran wrap around the hole, but that's the way it goes.

"I don't know what happened. I was just (missing) putts out there and got a little frustrated as I didn't have much go my way. You're supposed to get a little lucky every once in a while, but I didn't seem to have anything kick my way or any putts drop at all.

"It was disappointing to me because that's what I've been doing really well, putting.'' Playing in a trio with Adrian Crockwell (85) and Ian Page (79), Sims suffered two bogeys and a triple-bogey as he went out at five over.

And matters improved little on the back nine as he bogeyed 11 and 16, while tossing in a double at 14.

Yet, with 54 holes still to play, Sims remains confident in his ability to regroup and this was something echoed by more than one competitor in the clubhouse.

"I still feel comfortable despite the 81 today,'' said Sims, who had his father Bruce as caddy. "My thoughts are to go out there tomorrow and let it happen. I have confidence to where I think I can come back and play halfway decent and we'll see what happens tomorrow...sixties tomorrow would be a good score to get me back in it.'' Still hopeful: Two-time defending champion Michael Sims fired a disappointing 10-over-par 81 in yesterday's opening round of the Amateur Strokeplay golf championships but still believes he can get back into contention with a round in the 60s today.