yesterday after a superb third-place finish in this week's New England Open -- one of his best showings in an overseas tournament.

The Ocean View pro recovered from an opening day 74 on the par-72 Woodlands course in Maine to card a second round four-under-par 68 -- the lowest score of the week on that course.

He then finished with a blazing three-under-par 67 at Portland GC to total five-under-par and pick up a cheque for $2,800.

But that prize would have been much larger had he not three-putted the 72nd and final hole -- an error which dropped him from outright third into a tie with two other players.

Several of those competing in the 54-hole Open were regular visitors to Bermuda, among them Paul Parajekas, a two-time winner of the Belmont Invitation, who finished below Pearman on one-over-par. The tournament was won by Pete Morgan.

Pearman said yesterday he was delighted with his performance, having not played particularly well for much of this year.

"I've been struggling with my putter for the last couple of months and I think it affected my long game a little bit. I guess it was mental,'' he said.

"And another thing, I wasn't very confident. The first day, I really scrambled. I was six-over on the front nine and then managed to get it back. I turned what might have been an 80 into a 74.

"From then everything seemed to get better. I made 15 birdies in three rounds. It's a long time since I've done that.'' Next up for Pearman is the Azores Open, and then he's off to PGA school in an attempt to earn his Tour card.

"I'll give it another shot,'' he said. "My confidence is up now, so it's worth a try.'' Dwayne Pearman: 15 birdies in three rounds.