worst competitive round of 90 in the Bermuda Amateur Stroke Play Championships at Port Royal Golf Club yesterday.

Wahl, trails by 17 shots former Bermuda Senior champion Peter Tucker, whose 73 was the best the 90-player field could offer in ideal conditions.

Tucker has a narrow one-stroke lead over local players Steve Duxbury and Colin James. Two other local players, Danny Johnson and Arthur Jones, are bracketed on four-over-par 75.

Wahl was not alone in his anguish as former winner Robert Vallis, considered the Island's top amateur, opened with a disappointing nine-over-par 80. But unlike Wahl, he can recover to make an impact in the 72-hole tournament, which concludes on Monday.

"I just shot the lights out today,'' said a disappointed Wahl with more than a hint of sarcasm. "I have been having problems with my swing for some time, I've been unable to get my club squarely on the ball. I hit too many balls off the fairway and too many in the trap.

"It was my worst competitive round I can remember playing at any time. There is no way I can get back on track. I was even tempted to withdraw, but I am going stay and face my medicine.'' It was a day of misery for Wahl from the beginning when he finished the front nine with a 12-over-par 48 and then improved slightly on the back with a seven-over-par 42.

However, two younger players, Duxbury and James, were more joyous as they recounted their day's performances.

Duxbury, who has played in the tournament six times, was three over at the turn and then finished the back nine even par. The two-handicapper had only one birdie but recorded 14 pars.

"I hit a lot of fairways out there today, which is probably why I finished with a decent score,'' said Duxbury, who added he is trying to keep a level head in lieu of previous below-average performances.

James pulled one of the day's biggest surprises with his best-ever round at Port Royal, but the six-handicap player said, "everybody gets lucky once in a while.'' Although his handicap has improved from a 10 to six within a short span, James seemed to have even surprised himself with his performance yesterday. "I hope I can hang on,'' he said.

James was even at the turn but lost some of his sharpness on the back nine.

"I missed four putts under three feet, but it still ended up being my best round at Port Royal,'' he said. "I managed to improve on the 75 I had there about three years ago. I was very consistent off the tee and my approach was always good.'' Jeff Kiley, the 1989 winner, shot 76 along with the young Bermudian Duncan Zelkin.