The Bermuda Amateur Match Play Championship qualifier lived up to expectations with all of the pre-tournament favourites progressing to the championship flight quarter-finals at a blustery Port Royal Golf Course on Friday.

Last year’s runner-up Eric West, Oliver Betschart, Kenny Leseur and Damian Palanyandi all secured their spot in the main event, where they will be joined by James Godwin, Gordon Cox, Johnny Bart and Dan Roy.

Godwin pipped Betschart on retrogression to emerge as the top seed after the pair shot even-par 71, with Butler University student Leseur (74) finishing as the third seed.

Soon-to-be-father Godwin was happy with his solid round.

“I’ve been playing really solidly under the radar this year, so it was good to put it together today,” the 33-year-old told The Royal Gazette.

“This is my last tournament before our first child comes along, so it’s great to get off to a good start.”

Betschart, 16, was equally as pleased with his effort.

“I felt really good about my game; ball striking was solid and managing the wind was key,” he said. “Overall, I’m happy with how I played.

“Even par feels like a strong finish, and I’m excited to get into match play tomorrow.”

Despite enduring a tough time on the greens, Leseur was satisfied with his display.

“Today wasn’t too bad. I hit the ball really well, just one bad shot,” he said.

“Hard to make any putts on the greens right now, but it’s the same for everyone.”

When play resumes on Saturday, Godwin will face eighth-seeded Cox in the Championship Flight quarter-finals, Betschart is up against seventh seed Bart, Leseur has been pitted against sixth seed Roy and fourth seed Palanyandi will go toe-to-toe with fifth seed West.

The semi-finals will commence following the quarter-finals with the final taking place on Sunday.

The opening two rounds of the First Flight involving Marcelos Thomas, Mackih McGowan, Vince Minors Jr and Shaquille Trott will also be contested on Saturday with the third and final round taking place on Sunday.

Due to the forecast of inclement weather, tournament organisers have revised the format for this year’s event to enhance the chances of it being played in its entirety.

A field of 12 players competed in Friday’s stroke-play format in the qualifier for seeding purposes, with the top eight advancing to the Championship Flight and the remainder taking part in the First Flight.

A new Bermuda Amateur Match Play champion will be crowned as last year’s winner Adam Perry is ineligible having since turned professional.

Meanwhile, the Bermuda Amateur Match Play Ladies Division round robin event also got under way at Port Royal on Friday, with Morgan Lightbourne and Tracy Burgess coming away victorious over Darina Betschart and Katrin Burnie in the opening round.

The Ladies tournament will conclude on Saturday with the second and third rounds.