Will a local golfer win the Bermuda Open this year?

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15: A new Bermuda Open champion will be crowned this year.

Due to a scheduling conflict last year’s winner Jerry Bruner is unable to return to defend his title.

The European Senior Tour player clinched the 72-hole championship after holding off Canadian Brennan Webb in a play-off at Port Royal.

Webb, who has previously played on the Nationwide Tour, will now look to go one better this time around when he tees off in tomorrow’s opening round in a combined field of 88 golfers.

Among those making their debut in the Bermuda Open is Florida pro Jordan Mitchell and newly crowned Salt Lake City Amateur champion Scott Clark.

Scott Roy, tournament director, said: “Even with the economic crunch we do have a lot of new faces and that’s a huge positive.”

The Bermuda Golf Association has gone to great lengths to raise the tournament’s profile this year, with the Bermuda Open now consisting of each of the association’s strokeplay championships.

The event is open to professionals, men, ladies, senior men and senior ladies, with a national champion to be crowned in each of the respective divisions.

Among those carrying local hopes this year are reigning Bermuda Amateur Match Play champion Jarryd Dillas, rising star Nick Jones and Port Royal head pro Dwayne Pearman, who has done well on this year’s Jack Daniel’s Tour.

“I’m pretty happy with the way I am striking the ball. My long game feels good but the short game is not as sharp because I haven’t put the time in,” said Pearman, one of only two locals to win the Bermuda Open in the past decade.

“The short game is the key and if I miss the green I feel like I’m guessing a bit. But outside of that I feel okay. I just have to hang in there and be patient.”

Pearman said locals sometimes have more pressure on them because “People often think because you work here you should play good.

“But I don’t play this course a lot. I may play a few holes here and there. Some people probably play the course more than I do.

“I just go out there and do the best I can and whatever happens, happens.”

Tournament director Roy remains optimistic that a local golfer can claim Bruner’s vacant title.

He said: “I have a feeling it will be a local winner this year. I do see one of the younger players coming up giving it a good run.

“Nick has been playing very well overseas while Jarryd has also been playing very well lately and always stands a good chance of winning.”

Despite the dry weather lately Roy said the 6,842-yard, par 71 Southampton layout remains in good shape.

“The fairways are a little greener now than they were and with the conditions we’ve picked out some pretty fair pin placements. Nick Mansell has been moved back up to Port Royal and I know he has got a good handle on what’s been done and what needs to be done.”

There are five ladies entered into the women’s side of the open with Ebonie Burgess, Tracy Burgess, Elizabeth Parsons, Zayla Smith and Katrin Burnie competing for top honours.