Will Haddrell got his Bermuda Amateur Stroke Play Championship title bid off to a flying start at Port Royal Golf Course yesterday.

Playing from the black tees, Haddrell shot an impressive opening round of three-under 68, which included five birdies and two bogeys, to claim the early lead of the 54-hole tournament.

Haddrell hit top stride on the back nine where he dipped to four under after rattling in a third successive birdie at the par-five 17th green before dropping a shot after making bogey on the final hole.

A shot back in second is Damian Palanyandi who was also a model of consistency on the way to an equally impressive two-under 69, which included four birdies and a double bogey at No 4.

“I played some good golf today,” Palanyandi told The Royal Gazette.

“I had the ideal start birdieing the first two holes. The only hiccup was a pulled drive on 4 which went out of bounds, but lots of positives to take from today and looking forward to teeing it up tomorrow.”

Also coming in under par were past winner Jarryd Dillas and teenager Oliver Betschart, who both carded identical one-under 70s.

Dillas was two over with five holes left to play and managed to come in under par after making birdie at Port Royal’s signature 16th green and eagle on the very next hole.

Betschart was even through twelve holes with a birdie at No 15 placing him at one under, where he remained after making par on the remaining three holes.

Adam Perry, the defending champion, carded a 74 which left him six shots off the lead in fifth with 36 holes left to play at the Southampton layout.

Meanwhile, Vanessa Chychrun carded a three-over 74 that contained three birdies and six bogies to set the early pace in the women’s championship.

In second is defending champion Ebonie Cox, who managed a 78, followed by Kim Botelho a shot back in third.

Roderick Forrest (72) leads the senior men’s division by one shot over Hav Trott (73) with Christopher Phillips (75) sitting another two shots back in third.

The highlight of the day unfolded at the par-three 16th green where senior men’s player Ed Frey made a hole-in-one.

“That was my first one,” he said. “It only took me 35 years to get there, but a nice place to take a one.”

The senior men’s division will have a new winner this year as American Scott Clark is not back to defend his title.

Defending champion Tracy Burgess (81) holds a comfortable seven-shot advantage atop the senior women’s division, with Linda Down (88) in second and Elizabeth Carpio (91) third.