crown at Mid Ocean Club this morning, aware that the path to Saturday's final will be every bit as rocky as a year ago.

Scotsman Dupuy made it third time lucky last year when he battled through atrocious weather conditions and a strong field to defeat Roy Vandersluis eight and seven in the 36-hole final, having lost in the previous two years' finals.

Today sees the medal round to determine match play flights and the field assembled is again a strong one with Australian Vandersluis returning along with American Cy Kilgore who defeated Dupuy in the '98 final.

Also making his return is 1992 winner, Bermudian Robert Vallis.

Others to keep an eye on will be Americans Doug Ballenger, Dick Blackburn, Christopher Blum, Bill Jenks, Robert Kulp, Stan Lee, William Link, Matthew Mattia, George Walker and Scotsman Robert Jack, all of whom list handicaps of between scratch and one.

Locals Henry Ascento (scratch) and Tim Carr (two), the 1997 champion, will also be looking to make their presence felt.

Only 16 of the field of 48 will advance from today's round into the championship flight -- Dupuy as defending champion earns automatic qualification -- while the remainder will be consigned to a first and second flight.

In the ladies championship, which also begins today, Jennifer Spurling won't be back to defend her title although last year's beaten finalist Lela Stearns is among the 20-strong entry.

The field's low handicapper is American Sally Casey, who plays off four.

Mark Dupuy: defending his Amateur Match Play crown and aiming for a fourth successive appearance in the final.