yesterday's first round qualifier in Runaway Bay, Jamaica, where Dwayne Pearman and Kim Swan combined for a far from satisfactory 10-over-par total.

With the Bermuda duo tied for 25th place among the 38 nations competing, a huge improvement will be needed over the final two rounds of the 54-hole tournament if they are to qualify.

Only 10 countries will advance from the Jamaica event to the finals which will be played in Kiawah, US, later this year.

Over the par 72 Runaway Bay course, Pearman fired identical nines of 38 for a four-over-par 76 while Swan followed a disastrous front nine of 42 with a back nine of 36 for a six-over total of 78.

Both players managed two birdies but for Swan, double bogeys at the par four fourth and eighth holes proved particularly costly.

The tournament is being led by the Philippines pair of Felix Casas and Danilo Cabajar who shot 68 and 69 respectively for a seven under par total of 137.

Two strokes back are the team of Gustavo Mendoza (71) and Jesus Amaya (68) of Columbia on 139.