Camiko Smith has done a lot of soul searching and adjusted his game since missing out on qualification for the inaugural PGA Tour Bermuda Championship at Port Royal Golf Course at the first attempt.

The professional failed to secure one of the three automatic qualifying spots up for grabs at the local qualifier held at the same venue in October.

Smith was well on course, but his hopes were dashed after blowing up on the back nine coming in.

“I had a bit of stinker at the qualifier and had some reflection to do on that,” Smith said. “I sat down and had a chat with my coach and we talked things out.

“We are trying a different approach and trying to build from my previous showing at the qualifier. I’ve been working on a few different angles. I’m trying to have a better strategy and just playing my game.”

Smith hopes to bounce back at the earliest opportunity competing at the revamped Gosling’s International Invitational, which starts today.

“I’m hitting the ball well, playing well and it’s just a matter of time before everything comes together,” he said. “I just want to put three good rounds together.

“I just need to keep a clean scorecard and put three great rounds together and win the thing.”

Smith has been paired alongside Daniel Gaunt, the 2017 winner, and David Lawrence, the defending champion, for the opening two rounds.

“Hopefully we can feed off one another and just go out there and make some birdies,” he said.

Other local professionals competing include Daniel Augustus and Dwayne Pearman who is the last Bermudian to win the tournament.

American Lawrence won last year by two shots over nearest rival Henry Smart, of England.

The Gosling’s International Invitational has undergone significant changes for the third time in three years. The tournament has been reduced from 72 to 54 holes and will be contested at three different courses: Port Royal Golf Course, Mid Ocean Club and Belmont Hills.

Another new feature will involve professional and amateur players playing among their respective divisions during the opening two qualifying rounds. Those that fail to make the cut will then compete in a 18-hole consolation event at the par-3 Turtle Hill Golf Club at Fairmont Southampton for the new Seal Pup Cup.

The opening round of the championship will start today with professionals playing at Mid Ocean Club and amateurs at Port Royal.

Both divisions will swap courses for the second round tomorrow with the top 42 per cent among the professional field and the top nine amateurs making the cut.

Belmont Hills will host Thursday’s third and final round of the main event with the consolation event taking place at Turtle Hill on the same day.