Invitational Match Play tournament yesterday when he blasted defending champion Ricky Cox out of the competition at the first hurdle, four-and-three.

It was a miserable day for the Bermudian who never got on track, recording just four pars, while his opponent performed with the required consistency and was duly rewarded with a trip to today's quarter-finals where he faces countryman Bo Winiker.

"Unfortunately my mind was elsewhere as I had a few other things I was thinking about,'' said Cox, who defeated Paul Evans to lift the title in 1992 after being a quarter-finalist the year before.

"But no excuses, I played a horrible round of golf and my hat's off to him (O'Malley), he did what he had to do.

"Of course I would love to have repeated and feel I let the Island down as there are no more Bermudians in the tournament ... I'll just have to wait 'till next year.'' Kirk Kitson, the other local in the junior section, was similarly bounced by Edward Ryan three-and-two.

An intriguing match-up was created at the low end of the draw with Evans due to face 1991's losing finalist and former Bermuda amateur champion Doug Clark who is instilled as one of the favourites for Cox's crown.

Clark, the sixth qualifier, eased past New Jersey's Steven Lupton six-and-five, while Evans, who lost the play-off to decide the medallist to Thomas Hubner, had a slightly more difficult match against Lee Paton of New York before winning three-and-two.

Remaining pairings feature Hubner taking on Ryan and Ray Daue squaring off against Gene Atkinson.

A major upset among the seniors witnessed Ted Kenerson's banishment of 1992 runner-up Texan Charles Bailey on the basis of a four-and-three win.

Meanwhile, reigning champ Dick Stimets avoided the upset bug, rolling past Charles Brennan four-and-three.

Next up for Stimets is Bermudian Leon Nearon, the beneficiary of a three-and-two result over Jeffrey Kilgore.

Howard DeSilva is another among the list of survivors after trouncing John McNiff six-and-five.