Damian Palanyandi captured his first victory of the year on the Gosling’s Moongate Tour and fifth overall at Ocean View Golf Course on Friday.

The top amateur carded a one over 71 to pip professional Dwayne Pearman by one shot for the title in the 18-hole event played in gorgeous conditions at the Devonshire layout.

Teenaged amateur Oliver Betschart and professionals Oliver Pitcher Jr and Chaka DeSilva finished tied for third, a further shot back.

Palanyandi’s latest success ended a long drought as his previous four wins arrived during the Tour’s inaugural season in 2022.

“Really pleased to come out on top today and always relish the opportunity to compete against some of Bermuda’s best,” he told The Royal Gazette.

Palanyandi carded three birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey on the way to the title.

“I always enjoy playing at Ocean View and think the grounds team did a good job setting up the course today,” he added. “As always I’m looking forward to the next event.”

Pearman, who won the previous event at Port Royal last month, was generally pleased with his performance despite a few wobbles on the greens with the putter.

“Was a great day for golf; hit it okay, not great,” said the experienced player, whose round contained two birdies and four bogeys, including back to back bogeys at the eighth and ninth holes.

“Had a little bad patch, bogeyed 4 out of 5 holes. Wasn't really in trouble, just happened putting. Just had 2 birdies.”

Last year’s Tour Championship winner Betschart overcame a poor front nine and playing with an injured thumb to earn a share of third.

“I didn’t play well on the front nine, shooting 6 over. But I stayed focused and slowly found my groove, coming in with birdies on 4 of the last 5 holes, and almost holing out on the par 3 18th for an ace,” he said.

“The greens were a little tricky to read, but everyone had play the same conditions.

“I sprained my thumb a couple of days ago and have been icing it, so playing with it wrapped today took a while to get used to.”

Betschart’s round also included three bogeys and two double bogeys, which arrived on the front nine, where he found the going tough before rallying late on his stroll coming in to salvage a spot on the podium.

“I am happy with the final result and congrats to Damian for the win and all the other players in this month’s Moongate event,” he added.

Tour co-founder DeSilva was one under with through fourteen holes but carded double bogeys on two of the remaining holes, which ultimately put paid to his title hopes.

“Not the best finish for myself but all in all I am pretty pleased with my golf game,” he said. “I can’t be too upset with myself.”

DeSilva’s round included three birdies and as many double bogeys.

“I haven’t played in an event in a long time and I had a little first tee jitters, so it was nice to get the blood pumping and get under tournament conditions, which is what the Moongate is all about,” he added.

“I hit the ball really well, it’s just a few putts went in and a few short ones didn’t.

‘“It was a beautiful day and OJ (Pitcher) and the staff at Ocean View did a phenomenal job getting the golf course ready.

“Also thank you to sponsors Gosling’s and Gosling’s Limited, Butterfield Bermuda Championship, Life and Annunity Services Limited and Dunkley’s Dairy for all of their support.

“Obviously without them and the support of the players this could not continue, could not happen.”

Former Bermuda and Cup Match cricketer and acting Ocean View head professional Pitcher, who could not be reached for comment, carded one birdie, a bogey and a double bogey during his impressive round.