Jarryd Dillas and Damian Palanyandi conquered the field in trying conditions to retain their Bermuda Four-Ball Championships title at Port Royal Golf Course yesterday.

The pair won by seven shots over nearest rivals Fraser Hunt and Spencer Wideman after finishing the best-ball 36-hole championship at even par 142.

The team of Gary Burnet and Roderick Forrest finished third, a further two shots back at nine-over par.

Dillas said the margin of victory was flattering.

“We played the finishing stretch really well, so I think the final margin of victory flattered us a bit,” he added.

“It was really tight between us and Fraser and Spencer coming down the stretch there. We played 13 through 18 one under and they made a bit of a mistake on 15, a bogey on 16 and then a double on 18, so the gap at the end of the day made it look like it was quite comfortable but it was anything but.

“Between them and the conditions it was a really tough day and I think Damian and I were really fortunate to come out on top.”

Dillas and Palanyandi led Hunt and Wideman by two shots going into the final 18-holes after an opening round two-under par gave them early control of the championships.

The early morning start was delayed by three hours because of the torrential rain and strong gales with gusts to 50mph.

Play finally got under way by 10am after the conditions improved.

However, the wind picked back up to 30-38mph, which took its toll on the field.

“It was tough,” Dillas said. “I don’t think the way that they [organisers] started, anyone thought we would have finished under blue skies coming up 18 there, so happy to get it in.”

Also defending their title in the Ladies Division was the team of Linda Down and Katrin Burnie.

The pair finished at 15 over par, 157 that left them four shots clear of nearest rivals Ann Symonds and Tracy Burgess. The team of Anne O’Neill and Irene Foti finished third a further seven shots back.

“Very excited and very happy, obviously, with the outcome,” Down said.

“Not sure if it was actually a test of golf skills more than survival skills. But obviously you had to have the golf skills to get it done. Katrin and I worked well together.”

Leaders Down and Burnie held a two-shot advantage over Symonds and Burgess going into the final 18-holes, which they also managed to stretch despite the tough conditions.

“It was brutal, I’m not going to lie about it,” Down added. “It was brutal out there and not something that I aspire to do on a regular basis playing in those conditions.”

Craig Christensen and Jose Gerardo carded a 12 over par, 154 to win the senior men’s title by a commanding 17 shots over nearest rivals Andrew Jekyll and John Noon. Alexander White and Alistair Smith, who started the final round in second behind leaders Christensen and Gerardo, finished third a further five shots back.