Daniel Augustus has withdrawn from the Butterfield Bermuda Championship Qualifier.

The Bermudian professional was scheduled to compete at next week’s 36-hole individual strokeplay event at Port Royal Golf Course.

However, he has pulled out to avoid any potential delay returning to the United States owing to the terms of his existing visa which would interrupt his schedule competing on various mini tours, including the Moonlight Tour where he is a multiple winner this year.

“I am not coming back for the qualifier, unfortunately,” Augustus told The Royal Gazette. “I pulled out and cancelled my ticket back home, so I will be staying.”

A lack of funding to upgrade his visa also factored in the former Bermuda Open champion’s decision.

“If I had the finances I would have been able to afford a better visa,” Augustus said. “I would have been able to afford a P1 visa, which runs up to $7,000.”

The P1 visa is a speciality US visa exclusively for athletes (or other entertainers) and their coaches or support staff.

“That is a lot of money just to spend on a visa when most of my finances go towards me playing professionally,” Augustus added. “So this is the best thing for me to do and I will stick with it.

“It’s the better decision for me long term and that’s the whole reason behind it. You can’t make short-term emotional decisions that will affect my long-term goals.

“It hurts, but I will be happy to see Bermudians playing in the event and I wish everyone well.”

Augustus finished as first alternate at the local qualifier for the inaugural Bermuda Championship in 2019, which he also competed in after receiving a sponsor’s exemption.

The qualifier this year will be held at Port Royal on October 12 and 13 and will boast arguably the strongest field ever to compete at the event.

Camiko Smith, the defending champion, is among six previous qualifiers which also includes Michael Sims, the former Web.com Tour player, Jarryd Dillas, Kenny Leseur, Dwayne Pearman and Anthony Phipps.