The 20-year-old apprentice electrician shot a two-over par opening day total of 110 (74, 36) to lead by two strokes from Devonport golfer Steve Mathew (112) with Ulverstone’s Anthony Glozier (114) a further two shots back in third.

Tregaskis-Jago is the defending champion in the tournament.

“It was reasonably solid but a little bit tricky with the breeze which was up a little bit more than it has been in the past couple of years,” Tregaskis-Jago said.

“The greens were probably not quite as quick as they’ve been but that probably helped a little bit in the wind.

“I had a couple of bad breaks towards the end but overall I’m pretty happy.”

Tregaskis-Jago said he the Greens Beach course suited his game.

“I won it last year and I always play well here – it’s quite open and the greens are good.

“I came from behind last year so hopefully I can hold on from the front this year.”

Besides winning the Tamar Valley Championship last year, Tregaskis-Jago also won the Southern Open a couple of years ago and his home club title at Prospect Vale this year.

“I haven’t really been playing much leading into this tournament – after winning Prospect Vale and playing pretty decent a couple of weeks ago I had a fair bit of time off apart from practising this week and was hitting it OK.

“I’m looking forward to the final 18 holes on Sunday – I love playing here and it is always something I look forward to playing every year.

“Steve and Gloz are good players and there are a couple of guys a few further shots behind who could put a good round in and shake it a bit.”

The leading juniors were Joel Lunson, of Devonport, and Ryan Thomas, of Prospect Vale, on 119, a stroke ahead of Joey Bower of Royal Hobart. A total of 70 golfers teed off on the first day of the championship.