Jevon Roberts got his Bermuda Match Play Championships title bid off to a solid start at Port Royal Golf Course on Friday.

The top amateur topped the men’s field in the stroke play qualifier contested under sunny skies at the par-71 Southampton layout to bolster his confidence heading into the main event.

Roberts capitalised on the ideal conditions on the way to an impressive one over 72 to finish two shots clear of nearest rival Mikus Ming, with Adam Perry rounding off the top three a further two shots back.

“It was great weather so it’s one of the few times that Port Royal isn’t blowing sideways,” Roberts told The Royal Gazette. “I felt I kind of had to take advantage of the elements and play well and take my chances, and I felt like that’s what I did today.”

Roberts, who lost to Jarryd Dillas in last year’s final, was three over at the turn but birdied No 12 and eagled the par-5 seventeenth to come in just over par.

“I was very solid from tee to green,” he added. “I had one little blip on eight. Made a double bogey on eight but I came right back on nine and made birdie, so overall just very pleased with how I played today.

“When things didn’t go well I battled through it and was able to come right back and hit some good shots. Mentally it was very strong and I was very proud of the way I played.

“If continue to putt the way I did today then I like my chances of playing well for the rest of the weekend.”

Top seed and defending champion Dillas will begin his title defence against 16th seed Mackih McGowan while No 2 seed Roberts will take on 15th seed Matt Gorrell in the quarter-finals today.

Dillas, who defeated Roberts four and two in last year’s final, opted to take the No 1 seed by default without competing in the stroke play qualifier.

Meanwhile, last year’s runner up Katrin Burnie shot 79 to top the women’s qualifying field by two shots over Sienna Mosquera and Ebonie Cox, who finished tied for second.

“It was a mixed bag of marbles for me,” said title contender Cox. “I didn’t drive the ball well but I hit my irons fairly well and putted pretty decent for the most part.”

Defending women’s champion Kim Botelho also opted to take the No 1 seed by default and will face No 8 seed Linda Down while No 2 seed Burnie will take on Tracy Burgess in the quarter-final today.

Botelho beat Burnie four and three in an exciting and evenly-fought final at Port Royal last year.

The men’s senior division is guaranteed to have a new winner this year as reigning champion Calvin Hendrickson is not back to defend his title.

Christopher Phillips and Richard Neame both shot 77 to finish tied atop of the senior men’s qualifying field.

Top seed Phillips will now face No 8 seed Angelo Pimental while No 2 seed Neame is up against No 7 seed Barry Brewer in the quarter-final today.