Defending two-time Bermuda Open champion Dwayne Pearman begins a quest for a third title today when the Island's premier golf tournament gets underway at Port Royal.

Pearman, fresh off last week's Nations Cup in Mexico, captured last year's title by holding off former Open champion Tim Conley over the final two holes to seize a narrow one-stroke win. It was his first Open title in 14 years.

This year's 72-hole championship could be just as as close given the likes overseas professionals Ian Doig, Mike Donald, Craig Marseille, Rick Sovereign, Ed Kirby and P.H. Horgan have all returned to challenge for top honours.

Pearman returned from Mexico on Tuesday after teaming up with local US professional Michael Sims in the Nations Cup.

"I'm not hitting the ball too badly. I think I hit it fairly well in Mexico and hopefully I can carry on over the next few days," said Pearman, speaking shortly after a practice session on the driving range at Ocean View yesterday.

The Ocean View pro said playing in Mexico had proved to be a new experience for him.

"The format was a little bit different from what we are used to playing here," he said. "So that was a little hiccup there, playing alternate shots and best ball. It's not like you are playing your own ball. So it was a bit different from what I really wanted to be playing heading up to the Open."

Last year Pearman primed for the Open playing in the Azores, which he said "really pumped me up".

"Overall I'm feeling pretty good and my putting is coming along nicely. I know it is going to be a tough challenge trying to defend my title," he added. "But I will concentrate more on just going out there and doing the best that I can."

Meanwhile, others expected to mount a serious challenge for Pearman's title are Brian Quinn, this year's Massachusetts State champion, Fred Whitfield, a member of the European Seniors Tour, top French Canadian player Sylvan LeBlanc, UK professional Andrew Brooks and Texan pro John Denny.

This year's purse has been slashed almost in half following the withdrawal of sponsors while overall numbers have dipped slightly from last year.

Still, Pearman expects a highly competitive tournament.

"We still have some good players coming down here," he said. "You have Tim Conley and P.H.Horgan coming back to compete. So although the field may be a bit smaller from last year we still have some quality players coming down to compete. And so the competition is still good."