Oliver Betschart’s stunning arrival on the PGA Tour scene as a teenager created a big buzz on the eve of the Butterfield Bermuda Championship at Port Royal Golf Course yesterday.

Some of the tour’s most notable players paid homage to the Bermudian’s qualification for the event at the tender age of 15 and offered their well wishes. Among them six-times tour winner Lucas Glover, who said the experience will be one the amateur will for ever cherish.

“It will be special for him, he’ll never forget this week as long as he lives and I hope he does great,” Glover, the 2009 US Open winner, said. “It’s a great story.

“There will be some emotions he’s not used to, but at the same time he does not have any demons like us older players.”

Betschart, the youngest local to compete in the event and youngest player to compete on the PGA Tour since 2014, has not been overwhelmed by the glamour and prestige associated with the event as he seeks to capitalise on the opportunity to showcase his talents at this level.

So what’s his strategy?

“I’m trying not to look too far ahead into the future. It’s just kind of focusing on that first tee shot on Thursday,” he said.

“I’m just kind of staying focused and staying in the moment.

“I just have to focus on myself and playing against the course, not against my competitors. Just playing my game and doing everything that I can.

“I realise that all the players out here probably outdrive me from anywhere between 70 to 30 yards, so I’ve got to apply the other strengths of my game.”

Betschart took advantage of the opportunity to pick the brains of experienced tour pair Ben Crane and Stewart Cink during a practice round at the par-71 layout this week.

“Playing with them was a great experience. We had a lot of fun, talked a lot,” he added.

“Ben was talking about putting a lot. You know, how he uses his level to read putts on the practice green and he trains like that.

“So I’ll probably, after the tournament, get into that a bit more, take some stuff away from him and learn from the best in the game.”

Betschart has been paired alongside compatriot Michael Sims in the last group that will tee off in today’s opening round.

“He’s [Michael] definitely a nice guy,” he said, “I love playing with him.

“I’ve played with him a bunch of times before. Being able to have a familiar face around will definitely lighten the nerves a little bit.”

Like his younger compatriot, Sims has also tempered his expectations heading into his fifth straight appearance at the event.

“I can only go do the best I can do. That’s like, that’s it. I can’t do any more than that,” he said.

The professional said being granted a sponsor’s exemption this year has given his preparations a tremendous boost.

“With the exemption, I’ve had a couple weeks actually in my own bed, which has been really, really nice, so the body’s feeling good. I got to practice a little bit, so I feel good.”

Making their tournament and PGA Tour debut along with Betschart is professional Scott Roy and amateur Eric West, who are also relishing the experience.

“I am just out here to have a good time and represent myself and Bermuda really well,” Roy said.

“I am just going to play and let the putts drop when they do and at the end of the day whatever the score is it’s what it is.

“I am not going to force anything. I know the golf course, I feel comfortable with my game.

“It’s just a matter of playing it and just hope everything works out in our favour this week and really excited to be out here.

“I feel good and ready. I think it’s all coming together and I am really excited to be a part of this.”

Amateur and top local qualifier West is also inspired by his form of late.

“My form is where it needs to be, it will come down to my situational decisions during the event,” he said.

“Conditions are forecasted to be benign so we’ll see how the course it set up tomorrow. It’s in outstanding condition. I’m ready to take it on, one swing at a time, and relish every step of the journey.

“It’s quite surreal being here, but we’ve got to compartmentalise. I’m here to compete just like everyone else and I’m anxious to get going.”

A new champion will be crowned this year as Ireland’s Séamus Power is not back to defend his title.

Among those expected to be thick in the hunt are past winner Brendon Todd, tournament favourite Adam Scott, who has already enjoyed success at Port Royal as a former PGA Grand Slam of Golf winner and Glover.

American Glover is gunning for his third title of the year having already won the Wyndham Championship and FedEx St Jude Championship back-to-back in successive weeks.