champion ended yesterday when he was beaten by American Paul Evans.

Evans needed three extra holes to complete his upset of the Island's top amateur golfer and earn a place in today's semifinals against Scott Taylor, who beat local Michael Dunkley one-up.

The holiday period spelt double misfortune for local hopes as Jack Wahl, who held the Senior title for seven years before losing to Dick Stimets last year, went out in the first round.

Wahl qualified as the medallist with a round of 74 on Monday but the next day he was beaten one-up by Charles Bailey.

Stimets survived a tricky match with David Donahue in the first round before winning at the 19th. Yesterday, he had a more comfortable four-and-three win over Dave McNeish. He faces Charles Hartnett in the semifinals today.

Bailey followed up his win over Wahl by defeating James Hamilton at the 20th and will be favoured to reach the final as he is paired against Ted Kennerson, a four-and-three victor over Robert Kilgore in the other quarter-final.

Back in the Junior Division, medallist Doug Clark appears to be the man to beat now. He started off with a four-and-three win over Ricky Lines before subduing young Bermudian Blake Marshall two and one.

Bermuda's last hope in the championship flight of either division is Ricky Cox who enjoyed a sterling run last year as well.

Cox, who reached the 1991 final before losing to Vallis, has had successive one-up wins over Ace Eaton and Charles Holden and has to fancy his chances of springing a surprise against Clark today.

ROBERT VALLIS -- Suffered his first loss in Mid Ocean Invitation tournament in four years.