with a 26-stroke win at Mid Ocean Club.

Eleven months later, he's threatening to do the same at Port Royal.

Pearman, the pro at Ocean View and widely recognised as the Island's top golfer, fired an opening round two-under-par 69 yesterday to grab a five-shot lead over Lloyd James.

Eardley Jones, Kim Swan and Keith Smith were another two shots back after carding 76s.

Last year, Pearman opened with a 67 and finished with a 72-hole total of three-under par 281 to blow away Swan and Steve DeCosta.

Yesterday, he opened with bogeys on the first two holes on the way to a 36 on the front nine. But he recovered for a 33 on the back nine that included birdies on the 11th, 12th and 17th holes.

Even with a bogey five on the 18th, Pearman was the only one of the 16 pros entered to break par under benign conditions on the tricky Port Royal course.

Host pro Frank Rabain was one of three players with 79s, good for a tie for fourth. Half of the pros failed to break 80.

Play in the $5,000 tournament continues today, with the thrid round on Wednesday and final round on Thursday.

Scores, Page 16 DWAYNE PEARMAN -- five shot lead after the first round of the PGA Championships.