neck after the opening round of the $5,700 Ashworth Bermuda PGA Championship at Castle Harbour.

Swan holds a one-stroke lead over Pearman on the par 71 layout after his one-under par 70.

It is a similiar position that Pearman, the recent Belmont winner, was in last year when he led by a single stroke over Cornell Bean, Lloyd James and eventual winner Keith Smith after the first day.

"I've been playing brilliant golf but have been blending it with lapses of concentration,'' said leader Swan who shot five birdies and four bogeys.

"I was two under after the first three holes and then was two over after nine holes,'' explained Swan. Even today's round was very see-saw but one thing about my game recently is that I can bounce back from a bad hole very well.'' The former Castle Harbour assistant pro admits to having a liking for this course, having worked there for four years.

"The last time this tournament was played at Castle Harbour, in 1990, I won it,'' he pointed out. "It's my only win in this tournament. Of all the courses in Bermuda I play Castle Harbour as well as any. The weather conditions were very favourable and the greens were in good shape with the ball rolling very true.'' Pearman is one player who will be hoping history does repeat itself, for he was the first round leader by a stroke -- in fact he led for the first three days of the 52 hole event -- only to be beaten on the last day by both Keith Smith and Scott Mayne.

"I hit the ball good today but my putter was a little cold,'' said the 1991 record winner Pearman who had three birdies and three bogeys in his round yesterday.

"I'm hitting the ball well but my putting didn't feel comfortable. I had some good birdie opportunities but I didn't make them. As long as I can keep hitting the ball like I did today I'll be happy.

"I have been putting well in the last few months but the greens at Port Royal have been over-seeded and it's tough to get out there and practice. I expected Castle Harbour's greens to be faster than they were.'' Three strokes separate Pearman from third placed Kevin Benevides, the home pro, with Rawn Rabain and Eardley Jones a further stroke back on 75. Benevides last won the tournament in 1984 but is confident about his chances this year.

"I played pretty good, I hit 15 pars and three bogeys,'' said Benevides.

"I'm playing pretty good but a lot of its got to do with course knowledge.

The weather today....nobody could ask for better. This is the first time in a long time I've hit the ball with any confidence. I think I can hang in there with the big boys, I sure hope so!'' Defending champion Keith Smith is carrying an injury in this tournament -- a muscle pull in his left leg -- and it showed in his game yesterday when he carded a 79 which was the third worst round amongst the 17 competing pros.

Michael Daniels had the best round of the eight amateurs bidding for their pro cards. Daniels shot a five over par 76 and needs a four round score of 308 to qualify. Also amongst those trying to qualify is two-time former world one-arm champion Quinn Talbot, who shot an 84.

OUT IN FRONT -- Kim Swan ruled the day at Castle Harbour.