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Doig opens defence of Par 3 title

Ian Doig will rest his Bacardi Par 3 World Championship title on the line at Turtle Hill Golf Club this weekend(Photo by Akil Simmons) March 25,2012

Ian Doig will rest his title on the line when the renamed $35,000 Bacardi Par 3 World Championship gets underway at Turtle Hill Golf Club today.The former Canadian Tour player captured a maiden Bacardi title in dramatic fashion last year after draining a 14-foot birdie putt on the first play-off hole (18th) to upstage defending champion Nick Taylor.Doig, a multiple Gosling’s Invitational winner, says he’s looking forward to the challenge of defending his title during the 36-hole stroke play event among a formidable field that includes past US Open and British Open winner and European Ryder Cup captain Tony Jacklin.“I feel very pleased with my iron play and I’m looking forward to this weekend,” he said. “It’s always fun to be the defending champion in a tournament and I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to do that a few times and I’d like to win it again. That way I can keep coming back to beautiful Bermuda.”The Canadian can expect to find his work cut out for him in a formidable Bacardi Par 3 National Championship field that also boasts newly crowned Bermuda Open champ Eric West and inaugural Bacardi Par 3 winner and course record holder (one-under-par 53) Daniel Augustus who will be among those carrying local hopes.Canadian pro Taylor, the 2011 Bacardi Par 3 champ, is also among this year’s field of 165 professional, amateur and ladies golfers while former PGA Tour player Ian Leggett has withdrawn through a shoulder injury.“It’s a very strong field and it would really be interesting to see how everybody does,” added Doig, who finished fourth at this week’s Bermuda Open at Port Royal. “Par 3 tournament golf is relatively new but is difficult so it will be interesting to see how everybody plays.”Doig will tee off today in a threesome that also includes past European Senior Tour player Delroy Cambridge who tied for fifth at this week’s Bermuda Open.Undoubtedly, local pro West will enter today’s opening round on a high following his victory at the 2013 Bermuda Open.“The win gave me some momentum which is always important,” he said. “The Open definitely gave me some affirmation that what I am working on technically and mentally are on track and I just need to stay in the present and keep doing what I’m doing.”Back to defend her ladies crown is Bermuda’s Katyna Rabain who beat Katrin Burnie in a playoff last year.“Last year it was a lot of fun and I’m just going to try and play my best,” Rabain said. “I’m really looking forward to it.”Gunning for a fourth straight amateur title this year is Nick Mansell. The Bermuda Golf Association president won the amateur division last year by a comfortable five shot margin.“I think it’s going to be very interesting because it’s going to be a windy weekend to start off with,” Mansell said. “I haven’t been playing a lot of golf this year, but I’ll try and fend off anybody who comes up.”Mansell will be up against the likes of newly crowned Bermuda Open amateur champ Jevon Roberts this year.Local Hav Trott is the defending Bacardi Par 3 senior champion.“I’m feeling pretty good and my game is in reasonable shape,” said Trott, who won the senior division last year after pipping Canadian Ross Ballanntyne by a single shot.