Delyone Borden will venture into the unknown when he makes his debut in the Butterfield Bermuda Championship Qualifier this week.

The Ocean View professional is among the 23-strong field that will be vying for the four spots up for grabs in the 36-hole strokeplay event to be held at Port Royal Golf Course tomorrow and Wednesday.

“My thoughts are really just to freewheel it because I don’t really have any expectations,” Borden told The Royal Gazette. “It’s my first time qualifying so there’s no expectations. I’m just looking to play one shot at a time and see where I end up.”

The 36-year-old left-hander will measure up against arguably the strongest field ever to compete at the event.

It boasts many of the island’s top professional and amateur players, including defending champion Camiko Smith, who is among six previous qualifiers.

“The field is really strong and I’m excited just to mix it up with these guys,” Borden added.

“Obviously, nerves will be there but that’s just all a part of it.”

Borden, a former St George’s Cup Match and Bermuda cricketer who has exchanged the willow for the long stick in recent years, is encouraged by his form going into the event.

“My form is pretty decent,” he said. “I’m just starting to hit the ball pretty solid, so it seems pretty good.”

As for the par-71 Southampton layout, the former cricketer added: “I have played it pretty often lately, so I know the course pretty good. It’s tough and I just have to stay out of the traps.”

Borden said securing a spot for the main event would be awesome.

“It would be a dream come true,” he added. “I always watch the PGA Tour on TV, so I can only imagine the amount of nerves and excitement I would be having if I was to qualify.”

Smith, Michael Sims and Anthony Phipps were the 2020 qualifiers.