Katrin Burnie’s bid for a third successive Bermuda Match Play Championships women’s title will have to wait at least another year after organisers were forced to pull the plug on the event due to a player shortage.

“It was rather unfortunate we have a conflict with several other events which meant that our entries this year were quite low,” Gary Venning, the tournament director, told The Royal Gazette. “Then unfortunately at the last minute one of our top players, Ebonie Cox, had to withdraw.

“With match play you really need at least a minimum flight of eight. You can get away with four, but we decided in the end it just was not viable to continue with so few entrants.”

Organisers are now exploring alternative dates to stage the tournament to avoid further scheduling conflicts in the future.

“What we are going to try to do is reschedule it at a time when we can expect better participation,” Venning added.

“It’s just one of those conflict issues where we had a big event on at Mid Ocean this week and Turtle Hill have their club championships, which has taken one of the top players. So it was pointless trying to proceed under these conditions.

“We never like to postpone something like this, and it’s far better if they continue. But circumstances are what they are and we just have to deal with the situation.”

This year’s championships will now only feature the men’s event, which began at Port Royal Golf Course yesterday with the stroke play medal round.

Adam Perry topped the field in the men’s championship flight with a three over 74, which included two birdies, three bogeys and a double bogey on the par 4, first hole.

Jevon Roberts, who was celebrating his birthday, and multiple winner and last year’s runner up, Jarryd Dillas, finished second and third with identical rounds of seven over 78.

Top seed and defending champion Will Haddrell will begin his title defence against Robbie Bailey in his opening match in the main event which starts today.

Ian Page topped the senior men’s championship flight with a nine over 80. Christopher Phillips finished second at 12 over and last year’s runner-up Craig Christensen third a farther two shots back.

Reigning senior men’s champion Calvin Hendrickson will face Nicholas Jones in his opening match at the par 71 Southampton layout.