Pearman to edge out visitor Bob Mucha and lift his first Belmont Invitational and the $3,000 winner's cheque yesterday.

Intense drama surrounded the finish of the event after Pearman surrendered eight strokes to the American, allowing him to draw even at the 17th hole.

After missing several short putts throughout the day and facing an eight-footer for birdie and the win on number 18, Pearman stood firm under pressure to find the bottom of the cup. Pearman carded a 73 for a four-day total of 277 compared to 66 and 278 for Mucha.

"It's great! Just Great!'' said a jubilant Pearman, who finished second in 1989 and fifth last year. "I've been struggling all year and it's nice to take over the lead and hang on at the finish, and I'm proud of it.

"I didn't want to go in a play-off. I was tired and this guy (Mucha) was running out. I felt I just had to make it...I didn't want to go any more.

"I think I'll have to change my motto...I always thought of coming from behind to be a good win but to get up front and stay up there is better.

And he stayed there only barely as following his entering the day six strokes ahead, he first had Mocklow -- who finished third with 71 and 281 -- breathing down his neck, and when the latter fell off, Mucha came out of nowhere to take up the challenge.

Most of Pearman's troubles came during the front nine where he recorded five bogeys, including three in a row from the fourth. Two more followed at eight and nine and what was once a comfortable cushion had dwindled to just two strokes.

"They were zooming in,'' said Pearman. "I couldn't focus on the front side.

I didn't have a feel for my putts and kept coming up short, and then I three-putted a couple times.

"After I made birdie on 10 it got me going and I settled down a bit.'' Indeed the 10th did appear a definite confidence booster as the assistant pro at Port Royal went on to complete the second nine at one under and hold off the charging Mucha.

"I figured at the beginning of the day I had to shoot 65, said Mucha, a regular competitor at the event and former Goodwill champion. "I really didn't think I could catch him because he was really playing well, but when he started to miss those short putts on the front and I gained five shots I knew it was a ballgame.

Mucha's game was precise as he struck for five birdies against only one bogey.

He thrived in blustery conditions and even when in trouble he was always able to pull a shot out of the bag to maintain his momentum.

Such a moment came at the par-four 12th when his second shot landed short of the green and the diminutive American produced a spectacular chip, bouncing the ball two feet from the cup and allowing it to roll in for birdie.

One hole earlier Mocklow's charge had been effectively diminished when he struck his second shot out of bounds and took a double-bogey seven.

"I made a bad decision on 11,'' said Mocklow, set to depart the Island for tournaments in Atlanta and at Hilton Head. "All week I've been wanting to hit a driver there.

"I didn't make birdie on 10 so it made me a bit timid and I hit iron. I should have hit driver, and paid the price.'' Mocklow was never again in contention.

Meanwhile, Hav Trott had little trouble holding on for first among the amateurs, his 79 yesterday and 294 total allowed him to beat Tim Carr (77 and 297). Glen Simmons (76 and 297) was third.

Noel van Putten ran away with the senior amateur division. His 72 round and 283 total beat Eldon Raynor (79 and 314) and Malcolm Gosling (83 and 322) who were second and third.

Joe Carr was tops in the senior pro category. Carr carded a 74 for a 292 overall score ahead of J.J. Madeiros (77 and 301) and Lloyd James (76 and 302).

Tim Conley earned his PGA Tour card for 1993 after a final round of 73 at The Woodlands yesterday. Conley shot 432 over six rounds and was among nine players who got in on ties. Forty-three players earned their cards as a result instead of 40. Scores, Page 26.

DWAYNE PEARMAN -- Had his problems on the greens yesterday, but clinched first Belmont title witha an eightfooter at the end.