Chase Johnson capitalised on windy conditions at Port Royal Golf Course to seize an early lead in the Butterfield Bermuda APGA Championship.

An eagle on the sixth hole, coupled with birdies on the 14th and 17th, propelled Johnson to an opening round of even-par 71. The 28-year-old, who finished as runner-up last year, holds a one-shot lead over fellow American Aaron Grimes, who carded a one-over-par 72.

“I love playing in conditions like this,” the Floridian told The Royal Gazette. “The wind was whipping today and affected a few guys, but I managed it pretty well. On a golf course like this, it can go south very quickly, which I learned during the PGA Tour event, my first time playing here.

“Today it was 18 gusting up to 29 miles an hour, and tomorrow it’s supposed to be 15 miles an hour, pretty steady with rain. I love hard conditions – it’s a mental game at that point, and you have to rely on your short game to bail you out because you’re going to face tough spots.

“I’ve been in the midst of a swing change, and today was the first time seeing it in action. It’s very early, but I played well, I putted well, and made the ones I needed to make.”

Johnson was on course to finish the round with a three-under 68 but stumbled with a triple bogey on the 18th hole.

“I was managing the game pretty well at three-under through 17,” he said. “Unfortunately, we found my tee shot after three minutes on 18, so I wasn’t able to play it even though it was right in the middle of the fairway, which led to a triple bogey.”

The American is hoping for challenging conditions in the final round to aid his pursuit of a maiden win in Bermuda. Victory would earn $15,000 and exemption into next year’s Butterfield Bermuda Championship.

“Hopefully, tomorrow we can give ourselves a few more birdie chances and let the short game and putting continue,” he added. “I’m going to take it one shot at a time, minimise whatever damage I might face, and make as many birdies as possible.

“The plan is to earn a spot in the Butterfield Bermuda Championship next year. My game was inconsistent this year – I was fortunate enough to win the Cisco Cup and the APGA Player of the Year – but it felt up and down. Last year, I played in 11 events, had three wins, seven runners-up, and one fifth. This year, I had three wins, but there were times when I didn’t finish inside the top 15.”

Grimes credited his experience at Port Royal for helping him manage the conditions.

“I played well in the wind because it’s always hard to play in the wind out here,” he said. “I’ve got some experience here, so I used what I’ve learned in the past to stay in a good position.

“I had a birdie on the 16th, which was playing hard. I also birdied the 17th, then bogeyed the 18th, but I kept it clean all day. I hit the ball solidly, and that helped in the wind.

“I’m one shot behind, and Chase is a good player. He played in the Butterfield Bermuda Championship last year, so he has a lot of experience on this course too. I’m hoping to get the win here and come back next year to play in the PGA Tour event. I’m really focused on playing well tomorrow and making it happen.”

Defending champion Michael Herrera finished the day in eighth place on four-over-par 75, four shots off the lead. After clinching last year’s title with a birdie on the 18th, Herrera is confident he can erase the deficit.

“I didn’t play too badly, I just didn’t make any putts and had a couple of bogeys,” the Californian said. “I’m only four behind for tomorrow, so I’m in a good spot because in this wind, anything can happen. If I can shoot a couple under tomorrow, it might be good enough to do it.

“While it feels good to come in as the past champion, I’ve no pressure at all. It’s another tournament, and I’ve got to prove myself all over again.”

Among the Bermudians, Quinton Sherlock Jr was the best placed in 17th with an 11-over-par 82.

“It was a rough one out there today – I hit the ball well, but my putting disappointed me,” Sherlock said. “I had four three-putts on the front nine and just never got anything rolling to make birdies and gain momentum. My highlight was a ten-foot bogey putt – that’s how golf is, it’s never exactly how you want it to be. We take it in stride, and there’s always tomorrow to improve.”

Scott Roy, who shot a 13-over-par 84, faded after a bright start that included a birdie on the first hole.

“I started off really well in the first three holes, and then I don’t know if the wheels fell off or the wind got to my head,” he said. “That’s my worst round in probably four years. I didn’t hit any bad shots, I felt good and comfortable, but the wind didn’t work in my favour, or I took some unfortunate bounces.

“I’ve got nothing to lose, I’m still going out to have fun. I had no expectations coming into this event, I’m happy to be part of it and play.”

Adam Perry, the third Bermudian in the season-ending tournament, shot a 12-over-par 83, finishing in 18th.

Meanwhile, the field of 21 was reduced by one after Kamaiu Johnson withdrew due to illness.