Dwayne Pearman took the first step towards a hat-trick of titles in the Johnnie Walker Classic when he fired a 70 yesterday to take a one-stroke lead after the first of three rounds of competition.

Pearman, the two-time defending champion, leads Barry DeCouto by one stroke while Kim Swan, third last year, shares 73 with Cornell Bean in what promises to be a four-man chase for the title over the next two days of the $3,000 tournament.

The winner pockets $1,000 while second place gets $500 and $400 goes to third.

Slightly off the pace are Keith Smith and Eardley Jones on 77 while Herbie Minors has 78.

A year ago Pearman beat Michael Daniels by eight strokes after finishing with a three-round score of 204. Swan, despite an opening round 68 which put him in front after the first day, had to settle for 213 overall.

The amateurs join the tournament today, playing two rounds. Millard Beach won the amateur net title last year while Henry Ascento was the gross winner.

DWAYNE PEARMAN