advantage as he shot an even-par 71 to take the early lead in the Bermuda Amateur Stroke Play Championships yesterday.

Atherden leads reigning Bermuda Seniors champion Noel van Putten by two strokes with a threesome containing Eldon Raynor, Jack Wahl and Henry Ascento one shot further back.

The first nine holes were a picture of beauty for Atherden as he had three birdies on the second, third and seventh holes to go along with six pars. He continued his his torrid pace on the back nine, parring the first four holes.

Atherden ran into trouble at 14, which he bogeyed and on the picturesque par-three 16th hit his tee shot left, losing the ball and was forced to settle for a double-bogey five. And after coming back to produce yet another birdie on the next hole he finished up by slicing another drive and bogeying the final hole.

"It was a pretty steady round,'' said Atherden. "I putted well, chipped well and was pretty sharp around the greens''.

Not totally content with his performance, however, Atherden headed straight for the driving range afterwards to fine tune his game.

"I went to the range to try and help me control tempo so that I don't go out and try to force everything. Hopefully that will work for me tomorrow.'' Atherden has been noted for having good opening rounds but has often fallen back as things progress.

"If I can get over tomorrow with a good round I would rate my chances as good...tomorrow is the key round for me''.

Meanwhile, former cricket star Raynor raised some eyebrows with his play, while Ascento and Wahl did as expected, positioning themselves high on the leaderboard. Another pre-tournament favourite Glenn Simmons (76) lurks five strokes behind the leader.

Richard Cox was somewhat of a disappointment weighing in with 89 and top junior Duncan Zelkin is also buried in the middle of the pack following his 84.

The women begin their 54-hole tournament today.