veteran pro Frankie Rabain shared a commanding five-shot lead after the opening round of the BPGA Championships at a blustery Port Royal yesterday.

The high winds and rain sent scores soaring as Pearman, Bean and Rabain set the pace with rounds of six-over-par 77. Nobody else in the 14-strong field managed to break 80, the next best being David James on 82.

"It was pretty rough out there today,'' said Rabain, the 67-year-old Port Royal head professional who is defending his Super Seniors title for players over the age of 60. "We had rain showers, the wind was really blowing and at one point we had to leave the course because of lightning.'' Thirty seven year-old Pearman is vying for his eighth BPGA title, having won last year at Mid Ocean Club by 12 shots with a four-round total of 296.

This week's four-round event, which continues through Thursday, offers a first prize of $1,600. Bermuda Insurance Management Companies are sponsoring the tournament.

Bermuda's Ryan Mello fired two rounds of 78 to place fourth in the 16-19 division of the Sea Pines Classic junior tournament played at Hilton Head Island in South Carolina over the weekend.

Mello trailed joint winners Ryan Sypniewski (73-80) of Virginia and Don Paul Corbin (73-80) of Kentucky by three shots. Bermuda's Chris Brough carded 161 (86-75) to finish ninth. His second round of 75 was the best of the day.

In the 13-15 age group, Eric West shot rounds of 89 and 78 to finish 19th.

Dwayne Pearman: seeking his eighth BPGA title.