First round leader Jun Hardart carded a three-over-par 73 and his closest rival, Canadian Michael McCrimmon, returned a two-over-par 72 to join him at the top of the leaderboard at the half-way stage of the Bermuda Men's Amateur Strokeplay Championships at Tuckers Point.

The local teenager followed his opening round of two-over 72 with another impressive display yesterday but McCrimmon went one better with a round of 72.

They lead the pack heading into the final two rounds with big-hitting Daniel Augustus breathing down their necks after he too fired a two-over 72 to follow his first round 74.

Hardart and McCrimmon are on 145 and Augustus on 146.

Another promising local youngster, Mark Phillips, is just three shots off the lead after identical rounds of 74 (148) and Anthony Phipps lies in fifth place after two rounds of 75 (150).

In the net division, McCrimmon has widened the gap at the top, taking his overall score to 137 – six lower than second-placed Hardart. Phipps is third on 144.

Tariqah Walikraam set the pace on the opening day of the 54-hole Ladies Championship as she returned to the clubhouse with a four-over 74.

Ann Symonds is just two strokes back on 76 with Tracy Nash third after firing 79.

Symonds opened up a three-shot lead in the net division with a 67.

Walikraam is on 70 and Thalia Lightbourne and Nash tied for third on 71.