even par 71 yesterday and will today lead a group of 32 qualifiers in the opening round of the 66th Bermuda Men's Amateur Championships at Mid Ocean Club.

Despite the outstanding performances by the Americans, Bermuda's Henry Ascento claimed some of the spotlight by finishing within four strokes of the pair with a 75 while another Bermudian, former two-time winner Robert Vallis trailed further back on 79.

Yesterday's huge field has been drastically trimmed with only those carding less than 83 making the cut.

Among those failing to qualify were Bermuda's Max Atherden and Malcolm Burgess who each scored a 84 and Adrian Crockwell who had a 85. American Michael Thompson, who is a one handicap player, failed to qualify as a result of a round of 84.