Ebony Burgess proved that anything the boys could do, she could do better during first round action in the Fecchio Cup yesterday.

Sixteen year-old Burgess shot the lowest score during the opening round at Riddell's Bay. However, her 71 came off the ladies' tees and so despite being six shots back Canadian Stephen Hiscox heads the overall table.

Burgess, defending female champion, mastered the windy course yesterday when others found the elements not to their liking, carding a one under par round in the girls open division where her only rival is Tariqah Walikraam, who struggled with a 94.

Hiscox's seven over par 77 put him at the head of the boy's 18-21 division.

Jarryd Dillas, last year's winner and just back from competing in Florida, leads the boy's 15-17 division after finishing with a 78.

While Burgess cruised home in comfort, she did not regard her day's work as being a conquest without flaws. In fact, she is hopeful of producing an even better round today despite playing on a course that she does not get the chance to compete on regularly.

“I hit ten greens but I didn't putt that well at all,” she said. “I was pleased to finish so far ahead, but I don't know what happened to the other players.

“It wasn't that pleasant out there today, the wind was strong and made play tough at times but I feel that I can improve on my performance in the final round.”

Meanwhile, Andrew Osborne leads the boy's 13-14 division with a 78 and Rawn Rabain tops the boy's 11-12 division after shooting an 84, while Mark Phillips is two strokes back.