Michael Diamond is neck and neck with rival Nathan Cassells after day one of their shoot-off, with pressure more intense than the Olympics taking its toll on the dual gold medallist.

Diamond shot a disappointing 20 out of 25 targets in the first round before regrouping to shoot a perfect score in the second and 24 targets in the third for a total of 69.

Cassells, a 25-year-old former junior world champion, shot 23 targets in all three rounds.

Diamond said the scrutiny and his lack of competition practice contributed to his early nerves.

"I'm a little bit disappointed in my first round but my last two rounds were very good, I was very happy with them," he said.

"I feel within myself that after being out of it for six or so months my match competition (and ability to) handle the pressure is definitely way off course."

Cassells said he was happy with his performance and did not feel too much pressure.

"You've still got a job to do," he said.

Head coach Greg Chan said the pressure of the head-to-head qualifier was worse than the Olympics.

"I've seen (Diamond) nervous, I've seen him at world championships, Olympic games where he's been nervous, but not to this degree - it's pressure we've not experienced before," he said.

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