The first round of the 2022 Butterfield Bermuda Championship concluded at Port Royal Golf Course, Southampton, yesterday. The field of 132 players are playing for a $6.5 million purse, and the champion will receive $1.17 million and 500 FedExCup points. The second round will begin at 7:35 a.m.
Leaders in the Clubhouse
Austin Smotherman and Harrison Endycott share the lead by one stroke after tying the tournament record for a low opening round with a 9-under, 62. That was one shot off the tournament and course record of 61, set by Taylor Pendrith in last year’s second round. Smotherman turned in a bogey-free round with nine birdies, including six in eight holes from #2-#9. Endycott, making his first appearance in Bermuda, carded two eagles, seven birdies and two bogeys on the day.
Arjun Atwal is tied for second place with Adam Schenk, Denny McCarthy, Robby Shelton and Scott Brown at -8, 63. Atwal, who got into the tournament as an alternate Thursday morning, posted nine birdies with a lone bogey. McCarthy tied the tournament record for the lowest back-nine score with a 29.
Tied for third place at -7, 64 are Sean O’Hair, Justin Lower, Thomas Detry, Dylan Wu, Greyson Sigg, Ben Martin, and Harry Higgs.
The Second Time’s the Charm
Smotherman, who played in Bermuda last year for the first time, saw his opening-round score improve by 14 strokes from 2021. He posted a 76 last year and a 62 this year.
Support Local
Jarryd Dillas is the top Bermudian in the field today, finishing at -2 with an opening round 69. That is the lowest score posted by a Bermudian competing in the tournament historically. Fellow Bermudians Nick Jones (E, 71), Michael Sims (+2, 73) and Kim Swan (+18, 89) are all competing as well.
Fly Like an Eagle
Kevin Yu set a new tournament record for eagles in a single round, carding 3 today. He eagled #2, #7 and #17. The previous record was 2, posted by four players.
Bogey or Bigfoot
Higgs’ bogey-free round is not surprising, as he is as elusive from bogeys as a Bigfoot. Including today, he has played five rounds at Port Royal and only recorded two holes above par, one bogey on Hole 14 during the 3rd round and a double bogey on #7 during the 4th round of 2019. He went his first 49 holes without a bogey. His five scores have been 66, 65, 65, 68, and 64.
Low and Steady
Kramer Hickok opened with a -1, 70. Competing in and making the cut in every Butterfield Bermuda Championship, he is the only player to have shot par or lower in every tournament round.
Former Champ in the Field
2020 Butterfield Bermuda Championship winner Brian Gay shot a -5, 66 to open the competition. Playing in every tournament so far, he has now posted rounds under-par in 12 of his 13 rounds with a lone 75 in the first round of 2021.
Field Update
Nicholas Lindheim withdrew before the first round due to a back injury. Arjun Atwal replaced him in the field.
Event information
The field of 132 players are vying for a $6.5 million purse. The champion will receive $1.17 million and 500 FedExCup points. The winner is also awarded a two-year PGA TOUR exemption, 20 Official World Golf Ranking points, and berths in multiple tournaments, including the 2023 Masters, 2023 PGA Championship, 2023 THE PLAYERS Championship and next year’s Sentry Tournament of Champions.
Supporting Local Charities
Thursday’s opening round is Supporting Local Charities Day, presented by Digicel Business. A portion of all ticket sales for the Digicel Business Ocean Club will be donated to the Birdies for Charities programme, benefitting local Bermudian charities.
Former Champ in the Field
2020 Butterfield Bermuda Championship winner Brian Gay tees off at 8:19 a.m. from Hole #10. He is grouped with 2009 U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover and European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald.
Other Major Winners in the Field
2011 FedEx Cup winner Bill Haas tees off on #1 at 8:46 a.m., playing with Cameron Percy and Kramer Hickok. Two-time Major champion John Daly tees off at 12:31 p.m. from #10 with Nick Watney and D.J. Trahan.
Support Local
Michael Sims is in the field for the fourth consecutive year, teeing off at 1:48 p.m. from #10. He is joined by fellow Bermudians Jarryd Dillas (9:25 a.m., #10), Nick Jones (9:19 a.m., #1) and Kim Swan (1:37 p.m., #10).
Pairings Guide
The public can access a free digital fan guide available at www.
Tickets
Tickets are available on the tournament website at www.
Longtail Club tickets allow access to the Longtail Club, the Digicel Business Ocean Club and the tournament grounds. Every guest, including youth over the age of 2, must have a Longtail Club ticket to enter the Longtail Club. “Working badges” are a credential for designated staff members for the day; this is not an extra guest ticket.
Digicel Business Ocean Club tickets allow access to The Digicel Business Ocean Club and the tournament grounds. The arrival procedure is similar to that of Longtail and is day specific. Upon arrival at the Digicel Business Ocean Club, a volunteer at the entrance will scan the ticket and provide a hospitality wristband which will grant your readmission into the hospitality area.
General Admission Tickets – provide access to the tournament grounds. Each ticket is day specific. All spectators require a ticket to enter; youth fifteen (15) and under are admitted free with a ticketed adult. Concession stands will be available on holes 14/18 and 16/17.
Parking
Valet Parking – Passes provide access to the Port Royal Golf Course. Each parking pass is designated by day and may only be used on the date specified. Please hang the Lot V valet pass on clear display in your windscreen to pass the security checkpoint at the main entrance of Port Royal Golf Course. From Lot V, guest vehicles will be valeted to an offsite parking lot. When ready to leave the course, return to Port Royal Golf Course parking lot, and your vehicle will be returned. Bikes may also be valeted; please display your valet parking pass in a visible location for ease of entry at Middle Road.
General Parking by Car or Electric Vehicle – Free parking is available at the White Hill Field lot located off Middle Road. Guests can board the complimentary shuttle, running continuously to and from Port Royal Golf Course.
General Parking by Bike – Free parking is available at Death Valley Field. Guests can walk directly into the tournament main entrance off the Port Royal Golf Course hole 2.
Stay Hydrated
Attendees can bring any empty refillable personal water container with them to the course. Water stations are positioned throughout the golf course. Aspen Bermuda Limited will giveaway 500 reusable water bottles daily at the entrance gate to promote single-use plastic awareness. In addition, the volunteer headquarters provide reusable water bottles to all Butterfield Bermuda Championship volunteers. Concession stands will also serve drinks in reusable cups rather than single-use plastic cups.
For the latest Butterfield Bermuda Championship information, visit http://www.
We look forward to welcoming you back to Port Royal Golf Course for good times and great golf.
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