Dwayne Pearman’s preparations for the Butterfield Bermuda Championship Local Qualifier received a timely boost after securing a podium finish on the Moonlight Tour in Orlando, Florida, last week.

Teeing off at the world-famous Stoneybrook West Golf Course in West Orange County, the evergreen professional shot two-under 70 to finish third among the 13-strong field in an 18-hole event on Friday.

“The Local Qualifier is coming up in three weeks and I was in Florida, so I said I might as well play an event just to get a little tune-up and practise a little bit,” Pearman told The Royal Gazette.

“I was just out here to practise and thought I would play a Moonlight event, which I have played a few times and won a couple back in the Nineties — and I’m glad I did.

“I knew the tour was still going on, so I called before I left. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to play in one of the events, so I said I might as well come out for a week and just practise and play in an event because I haven’t played in a tournament for a little bit. It was nice.”

Pearman was three under heading to the last hole where he carded the only bogey of his round after missing a six-foot par putt.

“It was a great day until I made my first bogey at the last hole, which was a par-five,” he said.

“You’re not supposed to be bogeying par-fives and it was kind of sad bogeying the last one home.

“But overall I thought it was pretty good not knowing the golf course, which was really good.”

The 63-year-old more than held his own playing against younger competitors.

“I told one of the younger guys I was playing with when I was winning these tournaments he wasn’t even born. He was like 23, 24 and is a pretty good player,” Pearman said.

“It was good playing with young guys. They hit the ball 50 yards past me, but I know if I putt well I can hang in there.

“I was in a nice group and one of the guys complimented me and asked how old I was. He wanted to know what do I do, and said I'm in good shape.”

Michael Blair shot a superb six-under 66 to win the event by three shots.

The Local Qualifier will be held on September 8 and 9 at Port Royal Golf Course.

Three players will again earn exemption, but only the top two will compete in the PGA Tour event this year.

The third-place finisher will have to wait until next year, when four Bermuda residents are set to be in the main event via the qualifier.

Kenny Leseur, Oliver Betschart and Will Haddrell qualified for the 2025 tournament.