Nick Jones holds a share of the lead after the opening round of the Butterfield Bermuda APGA Championship yesterday.

With the first day reduced to just the front nine holes as a result of adverse weather conditions throughout the day at Port Royal Golf Course, the Bermudian leant on his valuable local experience to shoot a one-under 35, which included two birdies and just a single bogey on the 8th hole.

That left the 33-year-old in a five-way tie at the top of the leaderboard alongside John-Baptiste Hakizimana, Michael Herrera, Wyatt Worthington II and Chase Johnson heading into the final round.

“It was an OK round for me,” said Jones, who was left slightly frustrated with his overall performance.

“I managed to birdie Nos 2 and 6, and usually when I play here all the time 7 is a birdie hole, but I hit my drive a little too far right and so unfortunately that ended up as a par.

“It leaves me contemplating why I make such mistakes and why do I still get nervous. My biggest battle right now is being able to perform under pressure and so that’s something for me to take away.”

While others within the field struggled in the howling winds and lashing rain, Jones was more than happy to have had previous experience of coping with a windswept Port Royal.

“I really did not mind the wind and rain so much,” said Jones, who is one of three Bermudians in action alongside Chaka DeSilva, tied for twelfth on two over and Arriek Doulgas, who shot seven over to sit in 21st place overnight.

“I actually prefer weather like this in tournaments because a lot of the guys are from America and, while they’re fantastic golfers, a lot of them are not used to the conditions that we can get here.

“I think conditions are supposed to be slightly better for the second round, but hopefully the wind stays up a bit so I can take advantage and hopefully score well.

“I feel like I’m in a good position heading into the final round and I don’t see many people being able to score much lower if the wind and rain is like it was for this opening round. I’m happy with where I am after the first round and looking forward to tomorrow.”

Another player in contention is Johnson, whose round consisted of three birdies, including on the first two holes, but was marred by bogeys on the 4th and 8th.

“It’s great being up there in the leaderboard, but I was not completely happy with the round,” said the 27-year-old, who topped this year’s APGA Tour rankings to earn qualification to the Butterfield Bermuda Championship last month, where he missed the cut by three shots.

“I got off to a great start, but I missed a couple of shots that I should have made and lipped out an eagle shot on seven. I feel like I actually played a lot better than the one-under score suggests but I’ll take it.”

While conceding that the course felt completely different to the one he faced last month in ideal conditions, Johnson remains hopeful that experience could prove pivotal heading into the final round.

“It was a complete contrast to when I played in the Bermuda Butterfield Championship and it felt like an entirely different course,” he added.

“Some of the ways I had to play the holes felt like I had never played here before; it was that different.

“However, it helps to know that I’ve had a few more competitive rounds on this course, particularly over the back nine, than some of the others.

“I know how the back nine can play out here and so hopefully I can use that previous knowledge to my advantage and see what I can do.

“It definitely gives me confidence knowing that I played well here last month. I made a lot of birdies in both rounds, including on the back nine, and so if I can repeat that then it should leave me in good stead.”

Whatever transpires in the final round in Jones’s pursuit of personal success, he will take time to reflect on the greater significance of featuring on the APGA Tour, which has a mission to prepare African-Americans and other ethnic minority golfers to compete at the highest level of the sport.

“It’s fantastic for me on a personal level to be a part of this tour event,” added Jones, who is desperate to try to play his part in being a positive representation to future generations of players on island.

“Not only is it great for me to compete against some of these really great players, who are playing in strong tournaments, but more importantly you’re helping to raise the profile of minority golfers.

“I think that’s essential, especially for somewhere like Bermuda to help showcase some minority golfers. I think it’s really great for the game as whole.

“It’s all about representation and acceptance in sport and we are really trying to get the minorities out playing golf and showing what a great game it is.”