Invitational Tournament from Anthony Mocklow to set the stage for an intriguing last two days.

The local pro carded the day's best round of three under par 67 to move from four shots behind first day leader Mocklow to a stroke in front, after the South Carolina-based Bermudian pro could only manage a two over par 72 in his round in the afternoon.

Pearman was already back at the clubhouse by the time Mocklow began his round and that round of 67 must have been in Mocklow's mind every time he played a bad shot, though he insists it had no bearing on his own game.

"You have to accept that,'' he said. "I didn't think shooting a 66 yesterday was going to get me too far ahead of anybody.'' For the first time in the 20-year history of this tournament players are starting from both the first and 10th tees and Mocklow admits there were some adjustments to make from starting on the 10th.

"The first four holes are birdeable holes but I wasn't warmed up and couldn't get comfortable,'' he explained. "I hit a lot of good clubs but I didn't capitalize on them like I did yesterday. I birdied the only hole on the course I don't like -- the 16th!'' Pearman, sixth overall last year, also began his round on the 10th and had the perfect start when he shot an eagle on the par five 10th hole. His driver from the tee put him on the top of the hill and a three iron second shot landed about six inches from the pin.

"I just kept it going and birdied 13 before I had flashbacks on 17 where I had another bogey,'' admitted Pearman who had three birdies and two bogeys in his round.

Belmont is the one major tournament Pearman hasn't won and with just a one stroke lead he knows there is still a long way to go yet. "Anybody is capable of shooting good scores,'' says the Port Royal professional who finished second in 1989.

"If things work out the way they have been doing I should be okay. I'm hitting the ball pretty good but I putted better today. Today I was able to get off to a good start when I eagled the first hole.'' Yesterday's scores suggests it could be a two-man race for the title which has been vacated by American Tim Conley -- unless somebody produces a Coney-style round today or tomorrow to throw the race wide open. Last year Conley shot a brilliant 64 on the last day to win by nine strokes over local Keith Smith.

There is a two stroke gap between Mocklow and American Bob Mucha who added a 71 yesterday to go with his 69 on the opening day. Then, there is a three stroke gap before the likes of Steve Napoli, Fran Marello, Tim Carr and home pro Cornell Bean come into the picture on 143.

Leading senior amateur Noel Van Putten remains steady, and even improved on his 73 on Monday with a one over par 71 yesterday which puts him on 144 with local pro Kim Swan and visitor Tom Sullivan.

Sullivan and Bermudian amateur Hav Trott, a past winner, made two of the best improvements from the opening day as Sullivan went from 74 to 70 and Trott from 75 to 70 to close in on the group just behind the leaders.

Trott is on 145 alongwith Gary Dorsi and J.J.Madeiros, who is just strokes ahead of Joe Carr in the senior pro category with local Lloyd James and visitor John Scheffler tied on 149.

Tim Carr is the leader of the junior amateur category -- an impressive sixth overall -- after his even par 70 yesterday which put him ahead of Denton Outerbridge in their category. Outerbridge shot a 77 to go with his opening day 73.

See next page for scores and tee times.

Tim Conley, the 1991 Belmont champion, yesterday qualified from the PGA Tour qualifying tournament at The Woodlands, Texas. Conley carded a final-round one-under 71 to finish 11th on on 282.

The Bermuda Golf Association's medal play competition in December will take place at Ocean View on December 12. Players (men with handicap 10 and under and women 15 and under) should register with the secretary by calling 238-1367 from now until 6 p.m. next Tuesday.

KEITH SMITH -- Last year's runner-up on his way to a 77 yesterday.