Bermudians Michael Sims and Nick Jones are in the thick of the hunt after making solid starts at the Grey Goose World Par 3 Championship at Turtle Hill Golf Club yesterday.

At the halfway stage of the 36-hole championship, former Web.com player Sims is just one shot off the lead tied for second at two under par, while Jones is a further two shots adrift tied for eighth at even par.

Tournament debutant Rafael Becker, of the PGA Tour Latin America, led the field after the opening 18 holes after firing a three-under-par 51, one shot shy of the tournament record, held by Brian McCann, the PGA of Canada player and reigning Gosling’s Invitational champion.

“This is the first time I’ve ever played in this event and it’s been amazing so far,” Becker said. “Bermuda is a paradise island and this golf course is incredible with pristine rolling greens.”

Becker played the back nine at three under par after rolling in birdies at 10, 15 and 18.

“On 10 I made a 15 footer and it was nice to see one drop which gave me a little momentum,” he added.

“Then I made another one on 15 and made a 25 footer for birdie on the last hole, so that was a little cherry on top.”

Sims, who lost his tour card after bowing out of the second stage of Q-School at the Plantation Golf Club in Florida in late 2013, carded three birdies and back-to-back bogeys playing into the wind at 14 and 15 and is tied for second with Wachesaw Plantation Club player Zack Byrd and PGA of Canada player Ed Maunder.

Two shots off the lead is American Thomas Curtis, the defending champion.

Jones, whose round included three birdies and as many bogeys, is tied for eighth in a bunch that includes former Ryder Cup rivals Chip Beck and Barry Lane.

The next highest local player is past winner Daniel Augustus, whose two-over-par 56 left him tied for 22nd

Meanwhile, local golfers are also in contention for honours in the men’s amateur division.

Jevon Roberts is second behind Canadian leader TJ Rule at three over par, with compatriots Phillips a shot back tied for third and Cory DeSilva tied for fifth at nine over par.

Bermudian golfers are also thriving in the women’s amateur field where they occupy the top seven spots.

Tariqah Walikraam, the newly crowned Bermuda Amateur Match Play champion, leads the field with a seven-over-par 61 with Ebonie Burgess a stroke back in second and Tracey Burgess a further four shots back in third.

In the senior men’s division, Bermuda’s Craig Christensen tops the leaderboard by three shots over Canadian Joe Cupido with Ross Ballantyne, also of Canada, a further three shots back in third.

Two golfers carded hole in ones yesterday, with local professional Twilton Smith among them. Smith got his on the first hole and American amateur Henry Arundale at 9.

The $75,000 tournament concludes today at Turtle Hill.