An emotional Camiko Smith fought back tears as he dedicated qualifying for a third Butterfield Bermuda Championship to the memory of Carla Hill, who died just over a year ago.

The overnight leader overcame a wobbly start to win the 36-hole Local Qualifier at Port Royal Golf Course on Thursday and qualify for the PGA Tour event in November.

“It feels great to qualify again and I dedicate that to aunt Carla, Clevon and Jadae's mother,” Smith told The Royal Gazette.

“I wanted to get in last year but it didn't happen, so this is pretty special and I really wanted to do this for her. Every year from the first year she always came up and would message me and give me encouragement. She was always there to support me, so I dedicate this one to her big time.”

Smith held a four-shot advantage over the rest of the field heading into the final round but that was quickly reduced to two after he made bogey on the opening two holes.

He dropped a shot at the first hole after his second shot from the fairway found a water hazard and dropped another on the next hole after missing the fairway and failing to get up and down to save par.

Smith carded another bogey at the 6th after missing an 8ft putt to move to three-over for the round and even par for the tournament.

However, Smith bounced back in spectacular fashion with an eagle at the par-5 7th after an eight-iron approach from 170 yards left him with a 6ft pin-high putt on the right side of the green, which he duly converted to go back under par.

The experienced professional then kept the momentum going after draining a 4ft birdie putt on the next hole to return to three-under, but his fluctuating fortunes continued when he dropped another shot at the 13th after his tee shot missed the fairway and a 20ft putt to save par stopped inches from the cup.

He also made bogey at the 15th hole another 20ft putt came up short by inches to shave his lead to one stroke but the 39-year-old’s short game then came to the rescue as he saved par with a 15ft putt at Port Royal’s signature 16th hole after his tee shot found the bunker before rolling in a 12ft putt at the last hole after his approach missed the green to clinch the tournament in dramatic fashion.

“It was a little leaky but I managed to hold off the faucet and made some crucial putts coming down the stretch and finish under par for the tournament, which is what I wanted,” added Smith, who carded a two-over 73 in the final round.

“The job has been accomplished for this and now on to the next job. I am right back where I need to be so I am happy. I just need to sharpen up on a few things; get back with my coach [Carlos Brown[ a bit and see if I can find some sponsors to help me get back out of here and prep for the big event in November.”

Also qualifying for this year’s Butterfield Bermuda Championship was fellow professional Nick Jones and amateur Eric West.

West carded the day’s lowest round of 68 to finish second at even par and qualify for the main event for the second straight year.

“I struggled yesterday and just had to pull it together,” he said.

“I did some soul searching and was up most of last night. Then I just tried to relax and hit good shots.

“It’s so important and this tournament is the only one really that I want to play well in so it’s hard to balance trying hard to overtrying. So I just sort of let it rip, try and keep the ball in play, a few balls went in and here we are.”

Looking ahead to November’s PGA Tour event at the same venue, the 40-year-old added: “I would love to make the cut this year, that’s the goal.

“It was five-under par last year so I am trying to get my game to a place where five-under over two days is something I can do.”

Jones was forced to go the extra mile to clinch the third and final qualifying spot after beating amateur Adam Perry in a marathon play-off that dragged on for five holes.

“I felt worse for my caddy [Steven Almeida], who had to walk up that hill five times carrying that club and thank him a lot,” said Jones, who shot the day’s second lowest round of 69 along with fellow professional Quinton Sherlock Jr and amateur Will Haddrell to finish at two-over along with Perry.

“I had to grind through and got a little nervous coming in there. Had a couple of short putts which I should have made but it actually gives me one thing to keep working on and experiencing. Making those crucial putts under pressure iss probably key to beng successful on this golf course.”

Jones is now poised to make his second appearance in the Butterfield Bermuda Championship after making his debut in 2022.

“It feels amazing, it’s a huge relief off my shoulders,” he added.

“I didn’t play too well the first day. Left a lot of putts and shots out there, but I just said to myself if I can keep grinding and post a good number, I might have a chance. I just stayed steady, held the nerves like I could and just kept grinding.”

Perry and professionals Sherlock and Scott Roy clinched the available berths for the Butterfield Bermuda APGA Championship to be held at Port Royal in December, the latter two players in a three-man play-off also involving Haddrell to determine the final two spots.