Jevon Roberts is up for his Bermuda Match Play Championships men’s title defence but admits his work is cut out competing among a formidable field at Port Royal Golf Course.

The top amateur will rest his crown on the line at the weekend competing at a course that he is quite familiar with, having grown up around the par-72 Southampton layout.

“I feel good and have been playing pretty well here recently just trying to put some good golf together leading up to it,” Roberts told The Royal Gazette. “I feel pretty good about where my game is at.”

The top seed will be up against the likes of Damian Palanyandi, Jarryd Dillas, Spencer Wideman and Will Haddrell.

“I will need to be pretty sharp as there’s a stronger field this year than last year overall I feel,” Roberts added. “So for me to win again I will have to beat some good players. But I’m excited for the challenge and looking forward to it and ready to go.”

Roberts captured a maiden men’s title in dramatic fashion in last year’s final, rattling in a 20-foot putt for par on the 18th hole to beat Matt Gorrell by one hole.

“The golf course is in great shape, as they are getting ready for the PGA Bermuda Championship, so I’m very excited about it,” he said.

“The weather looks to be pretty good, so I’m just going to go out there and try and play the best golf that I can and see what comes of it.”

Also returning to defend a title in the women’s division is Katrin Burnie, who is equally as excited and encouraged by her form going into the Bermuda Golf Association-sanctioned event.

“I’m excited to play again and try to defend my title,” Burnie said.

“Unfortunately we have a very small field of ladies. It’s a shame not more ladies are signing up, but at least we are going to have the tournament running.”

Burnie defeated top seed Linda Down 3 and 2 in the final last year.

“I’m looking forward to the tournament and I feel in pretty good shape,” Burnie added. “Hopefully, I have my game going, play well and defend my title.

“It’s match play and it could be anyone. But I will try my best.”

Ian Page, the senior men’s champion, is also back to defend his title this year.

Third seed Page beat politician Zane DeSilva 3 and 2 in the 2020 senior division final.

“We are very pleased that the defending champions of the three divisions will be taking part and defending their titles,” Gary Venning, the tournament director, said.

“With Hurricane Larry moving off to the north, and the course in great shape, it promises to be an action-packed weekend at Port Royal.”

The championships start today at Port Royal with the stroke-play medal round.

Match play begins tomorrow, with the finals taking place on Sunday.