and Tobago Open at St. Andrews, Bermuda's leading player Dwayne Pearman accepts that his game will have to improve considerably today if he has any hopes of being a contender.

The assistant professional at Port Royal, who was a contender going into the third round of last year's tournament before finishing 14th, tackles the formidable field of 130 in today's second round, trailing leader John Reeves by eight strokes after the American finished the first round at the head of the field with a three-under-par 69.

Reeves, who was second in the Bermuda Open two years ago, goes into today's round with a one-stroke lead over compatriot Chip Drury who carded a two-under-par 70 yesterday.

Americans also hold down the number three and four spots after the first day with defending champion Jeff Lewis scoring a one-under-par 71 and the 1991 Bermuda Open champion Ron McDougal turning in a one-over-par 73.

Pearman saw his own game disintegrate after being even par at the turn and improving to one-under going to the 12th hole. But unfortunately his game just fell apart on the last six holes.

"I was doing everything good during the early part of the round, I hit good tee shots and putted well, but I made a few mental lapses and couldn't straighten things out afterward,'' said the reigning Belmont Invitational and Bermuda PGA champion.

"I made bad selections of clubs a few times and came up short of the greens on two occasions and was too long another time. The poor choices really cost me a lot of strokes,'' he explained.

Pearman had all sorts of trouble on the 16th hole, which he doubled-bogeyed.

Then he added further bogeys on both the 17th and 18th.

While explaining that there were strong winds blowing across the course throughout the day Pearman did not use this as an excuse for his performance, but he was hopeful of doing much better today.

"I fell quite a few shots behind the leaders and will now have to work hard to get back in the picture. Truthfully speaking I will have to shoot par or better to challenge them,'' he said.

The only other local player turning in a decent first round was veteran Eardley Jones whose eight-over-par 80 has him placed second in the senior category, just two strokes behind the leader.

Jones, who was second in the senior division a year ago, was not happy with his performance but realises that he is within reach of the leader and is optimistic that he will offer a spirited challenge for top honours.

"I had a day something like Dwayne. I had a great start after birdieing the second, third and fourth holes and I was still looking pretty good with a one over par at the turn,'' said Jones.

"But things went haywire afterwards, especially when I double-bogeyed the par-five 16th and then added further bogeys on the 17th and 18th. The weather did bother my game, the course is rather difficult without having to deal with playing in tough conditions,'' he said.

Jones said that the rest of the local players struggled and were placed well down in the field.

EARDLEY JONES -- Not happy, despite being second in senior category.

DWAYNE PEARMAN -- More putting woes.