Local Players In Butterfield Championships
[Written by Kim Swan]
PGA Tour Butterfield Bermuda Championship – Camiko Smith inside Cut Line – Darkness Stops Play
On an extremely windy day at Port Royal less 29 players were able to shoot 68 or lower and when you consider that all of the three Par 5’s are reachable in two shots to the modern PGA Tour Player the efforts of our local players thus far is certainly respectable.
The three Bermuda players – Camiko Smith [even] , Nick Jones [+3] and Eric West [+3] – vying to make the cut at Port Royal Golf Course in the 2024 Butterfield Bermuda Championship all have to sleep on an unfinished 1st Round with 2, 3 and 4 holes respectively on the front 9 holes remaining to be completed and everything still to play for on day 2.
Camiko Smith at even par is in joint 54th positioned – inside of the cut line – is lowest out of the Bermuda contingent. Playing the back 9 first Camiko got off to slow start with four bogies on his first 7 holes [11, 14, 15 & 16] before a miraculous turnaround which started with a birdie on the par 5 hole # 17 followed by a magnificent 2nd Shot into the theater gallery surrounding 18th hole. Camiko didn’t disappoint the huge crowd surrounding the 18th as he walked in the put ‘ Tiger Woods like’ style to a thunderous applause. Obviously energized by the comeback Camiko capitalized on the momentum and produced two additional birdies and all pars on the second half of his round to reach level par.
With darkness approaching Camiko did well to birdie his final hole before play was halted because of darkness.
Play resumes at 7am when players will complete round 1.
