Dwayne Pearman fired a four-under par 66 in yesterday's qualifying round for this week's Fritz BPGA Reiter Matchplay Championship at Belmont Hills.

Scott Roy and Daniel Augustus were next best with even-par 70s.

The knockout stage begins today.

Steve Roy is back to defend his title but Pearman now looks to be his biggest threat in his bid to win again.

The tournament will also see points for Jack Daniel's Tour order of merit. Fifteen events on thas tour remain before the season ending play-offs.

This week's matchplay championship has been sponsored for nearly 20 years by Joan Reiter and her late husband Fritz Reiter. This year their son-in-law Rick Olson has taken over the sponsorship due to Mrs. Reiter being unwell.