The Bermuda 63s: How Kohles and Silverman Ignited Port Royal’s Autumn Shootout

When Port Royal Golf Club opens its doors in late October, the winds sweeping off Southampton’s coastal bluffs usually demand cautious course management. On Thursday, however, the opening round of the Butterfield Bermuda Championship turned into a relentless target-practice display, spearheaded by a pair of matching 63s from Ben Kohles and Ben Silverman.When Port Royal Golf Club opens its doors in late October, the winds sweeping off Southampton’s coastal bluffs usually demand cautious course management. On Thursday, however, the opening round of the Butterfield Bermuda Championship turned into a relentless target-practice display, spearheaded by a pair of matching 63s from Ben Kohles and Ben Silverman.

Both players navigated their opening 18 holes with clinical precision, posting eight-under rounds of 63 to establish an early deadlock at the summit of the leaderboard. For Kohles, the clean card showcased the kind of dialed-in wedge play and rhythm putting that transforms Port Royal from a coastal hazard into a birdie paradise when the ocean breezes fail to bare their teeth.Both players navigated their opening 18 holes with clinical precision, posting eight-under rounds of 63 to establish an early deadlock at the summit of the leaderboard. For Kohles, the clean card showcased the kind of dialed-in wedge play and rhythm putting that transforms Port Royal from a coastal hazard into a birdie paradise when the ocean breezes fail to bare their teeth.

Matching him stroke for stroke, Canadian Ben Silverman delivered an equally faultless performance. Silverman methodically took apart the par-71 layout, capitalising on receptive greens and scoring opportunities across both nines to punch his ticket to eight-under and share the clubhouse lead after 18 holes.Matching him stroke for stroke, Canadian Ben Silverman delivered an equally faultless performance. Silverman methodically took apart the par-71 layout, capitalising on receptive greens and scoring opportunities across both nines to punch his ticket to eight-under and share the clubhouse lead after 18 holes.

With scoring conditions proving ultra-favourable on day one in Southampton, the opening salvos have set a punishing benchmark for the remainder of the field. In an autumn stretch where every FedExCup point carries enormous career implications, starting Thursday with a 63 is the ultimate way to dictate terms before Port Royal's signature weather inevitably makes an appearance.With scoring conditions proving ultra-favourable on day one in Southampton, the opening salvos have set a punishing benchmark for the remainder of the field. In an autumn stretch where every FedExCup point carries enormous career implications, starting Thursday with a 63 is the ultimate way to dictate terms before Port Royal's signature weather inevitably makes an appearance.

As the tournament moves toward the Friday cut, Kohles and Silverman have laid down the gauntlet. If the Bermuda breeze remains subdued, the winning total will venture deep into double digits; if the weather turns, their eight-shot cushion against par provides the ideal buffer for the weekend fight ahead.As the tournament moves toward the Friday cut, Kohles and Silverman have laid down the gauntlet. If the Bermuda breeze remains subdued, the winning total will venture deep into double digits; if the weather turns, their eight-shot cushion against par provides the ideal buffer for the weekend fight ahead.