week's $50,000 Bermuda Open.

Yes, he was invited as first alternate for the Shoot-out; yes, Bermuda was a great place for a vacation; and yes, there just happened to be a hole in his all-too-busy schedule.

But all of the above had little to do with his decision to chase a modest $12,000 first prize in a year when he's already banked $433,000 and a place among the PGA Tour's top 50.

"The incentive is, if you win the Bermuda Open you get automatic entry into the Gene Sarazen World Open, and that's a big perk. It's a very lucrative tournament,'' explained Andrade yesterday.

"This isn't really a vacation for me. I'm here for the sole purpose of winning the Open. I really want to get into the Sarazen event.'' Only winners of Open championships are invited to play in the World Open, and Andrade said he first got the idea of competing in the Bermuda tournament when he came down on holiday two years ago with fellow pros Davis Love III, Jeff Sluman and Billy Ray Brown.

"We didn't play any golf but we had a great time. And I decided then I'd come back one day and play.'' With all ten Shoot-out players arriving on time and in good health, Andrade and second alternate Paul Goydos won't be required at Mid Ocean today.

Instead Andrade will take the opportunity to play Port Royal, venue for the Open, for the first time in a Pro-Am.

First round of the 72-hole Open is scheduled for tomorrow.

*** NO, all those Saltus schoolkids autograph hunting on Mid Ocean Club's driving range yesterday morning weren't playing hooky.

They were present with their headmaster's blessing, and for that they have Payne Stewart to thank. The former PGA champion admitted he was concerned when told by a young golfer last year that children weren't allowed out of school to watch the Shoot-out.

"I did speak to someone after last year's tournament, although I can't remember who it was,'' said Stewart. "Basically, what I said was you've got ten of the best players in the world in Bermuda, why not let the kids out of school so they can see what professional golf is all about. "I think they should be able to see how professional golfers conduct themselves in public -- compared to say those in football, basketball, baseball or whatever. We police ourselves, we're more mature than a lot of sportsmen and I think generally we set a good example.'' *** COREY PAVIN, winner of yesterday's closest-to-the-pin tournament for a $40,000 annuity on Mid Ocean's 203-yard 17th, might have felt obliged to leave a small tip for fellow pro Jim Furyk after picking up his cheque.

Never having played the hole before, Furyk admitted he had "no idea'' what club to take when he was drawn to fire first in the ten-man contest. He pulled out a five iron and promptly air-mailed his tee shot clean over the green.

That sent a clear message to the rest of the field who then opted for six and seven irons. And it was Pavin, with a sweetly struck six iron to within 5 feet, 41/4 inches, who came cloest to the target. John Cook, with a seven iron to 7-10/1 , was next best.

ADRIAN ROBSON