Bermuda’s Daniel Augustus and Nick Jones will be among the field in the Advocate Pro Golf Association at TPC Deere Run, which starts today at the par-71 course in Illinois.

Former Bermuda Open winner Augustus has opted not to burden himself with expectation heading into the event, choosing instead to focus on the technical side of his game.

“My focus is to get lost in the process for this tournament and not the end result,” Augustus told The Royal Gazette.

“Results come when you focus on the process and the work you have to do in playing a good round of golf, not so much worrying about the results. I have been stressing about the results recently, so this one I am going to be focused on my process.

“My goal this week is to be fully focused over every golf shot and stay in the moment and not think about the end of it. Stay within myself and not think about outside things that are going on.

“That is what I will be focusing on this week and I am looking forward to playing. Every tournament I play I am grateful to be in and I am going to do my best. That is all I can do.”

Augustus competed in last year’s 36-hole APGA at TPC Deere Run championship, in which he finished tied for eleventh, and he has held his own at this level with nine top-five finishes and a best showing of second.

The 36-year-old is grateful to those behind the scenes who have made it possible for him to compete overseas.

“I want to thank everybody that has supported me throughout the years and have made ways for me to play out here when it did not seem like I had a way,” Augustus added.

“I have to thank God for that too, and I am just grateful to still be able to go after my goals.”

Compatriot Jones is venturing into the unknown as he makes his first appearance on the APGA Tour since being granted exemption to compete at that level after finishing tied for fifth on his debut in the Butterfield Bermuda APGA Championship at Port Royal Golf Course last December.

Like Augustus, the 34-year-old is excited to play at the home of the PGA Tour’s John Deere Classic.

“I have never played the golf course before, but it’s a TPC golf course so it should be a treat,” Jones said. “It’s a registered course with the PGA, so I am really looking forward to it.”

The Port Royal Golf Course teaching professional has had plenty of exposure playing competitively in the United States over the past several weeks after competing in a US Open qualifier in New Jersey, a Minor League Golf Tour event in Florida and more recently at the 19th Metropolitan Open Championship in Missouri.

Jones shot an opening round two-under 69 to put himself in a strong position to make the cut at last week’s 19th Metropolitan Open Championship at Country Club of St Albans, but a ten-over 81 in the second round resulted in him missing the 36-hole cut.

However, despite the disappointing outcome, Jones gained valuable experience.

“I definitely learnt a lot from the experience of being under tournament pressure and being in the hunt, and I just have to learn to get over those nerves so that I can perform to the best of my ability,” Jones said.

“I learnt when the pressure is on that it’s so important to go through your routine and stick to what you know best and maybe not the best.”