Rhode Island University student Fraser Hunt shot a magnificent three-under-par 69 at the Rio Mar Country Club in Puerto Rico yesterday to inspire Bermuda to their best-ever start in the Men?s World Amateur Team Championships.

Armed with a sizzling hot putter, Hunt mastered the par-72, 6,807 yard Ocean course in Rio Grande to give the Island?s bid for the Eisenhower Trophy a tremendous shot of confidence heading into today?s second round of the 72-hole biennial tournament.

With two scores out of three counting, Bermuda carded a one-under-par total of 143 and currently lie in a nine-way tie for 16th along with Ireland, Chile, India, Canada, the Philippines, Thailand, Denmark and Malaysia.

Some 66 countries are competing in an event which traditionally attracts many of the world?s leading amateur players.

Jarryd Dillas, 19, who attends college in Georgia, turned in a creditable two-over-par 74 and the third member of Bermuda?s team, 20-year-old Eric West, 81.

With the course playing short and a light breeze whipping in off the nearby surf, Hunt produced a superb round of golf.

The 20-year-old Bermudian birdied four holes (two, three nine and 18) and made just one bogey as Bermuda enjoyed their best start since first competing at the international event more than 30 years ago.

?Hunt was definitely our star today,? said Bermuda team manager Bob Legere. ?This is the best start Bermuda has ever had and most of the low scores that came in today were recorded on the River course and we were on the Ocean course which was a bit more difficult.

?But Fraser made some incredible putts . . . his putter was really hot. And that contributed a lot to his 69.?

?Jarryd (Dillas) had a number of birdie opportunities but they just wouldn?t drop,? Legere added. ?But from the tee to the greens I think both Fraser and Jarryd?s games have been very solid.?

Dillas had just one birdie yesterday at the par three 16th but managed to make par on 14 holes to cap off a respectable round.

West, meanwhile, struggled in the conditions and the youngster, who studies in California, will be looking to make a big improvement in today?s second round which will be played at the par 72, 6,873 yard River course.

?On this course there are two holes right on the water so even a little breeze is going to have an effect,? said Legere. ?Last week they had lots and lots of rain and so the course is still a bit soggy. But it has dried up a bit.?

Bermuda, sporting their youngest ever team, will tee off today alongside Cayman Island and Turkey at 12 noon.

Predictably the US (132) top the leaderboard by four shots over second-placed Italy (136) with Switzerland, England and Spain a further shot back in a three-way tie for third on 137.

Last week saw the Island?s female trio of Ebonie Burgess, Laura Robinson and Kim Botelho (formerly Marshall) finish 39th among 49 countries competing at the same venue in the Women?s World Amateur Team Championships.