Ashworth Bermuda PGA Championships at Castle Harbour GC following his brilliant six-under-par 65 yesterday.

First-day leader Kim Swan shot a second straight one-under par 70 but even that had to play second fiddle to Pearman's fine round, which moved him from second place, a stroke behind, to the head of the leader board with a two-day score of 136.

The Port Royal assistant pro started off on the right foot with an eagle on number two before following up with birdies on three, eight, 15 and 18 as he reached 15 greens on regulation.

"I got off to a pretty good start,'' said Pearman who nearly recorded a hole-in-one on the final hole and had to settle for a birdie to equal the 65 he shot on the same course last year.

"I got a bit of wind on the back nine but the front nine wasn't too bad,'' he explained. "I hit a lot of shots close. I was pretty steady with my tee shots. I've been hitting the ball well in the last couple of months.'' Pearman was four under par on the front nine with his 32 while he had two more birdies in his 33 on the back nine.

With a massive 11 strokes separating Pearman from third-placed Eardley Jones, who had a one-over 72 yesterday to go with his opening round of 75, the winner of this year's event should be found in the top two.

Defending champion Keith Smith should at least be in the money after knocking seven strokes off his opening round 79 as he, too, went round the course in 72 to move into the top five on 151. Smith is two strokes behind Kevin Benevides who has 149 following his 75 yesterday.

Two players who could be disappointed with their rounds yesterday were Rawn Rabain and Phillip Smith. Rabain was in fourth place after his opening round of 75 but slipped to third from last in the 17-player field following his second-day 85.

Smith was 12 strokes off his opening round when he could only add an 88 to the 76 he carded on the first day.

None of the eight amateurs bidding for their pro cards managed to break 80 yesterday as Clevie Tucker's 80 was the best round. However, Mike Daniels continues to lead by four strokes following an 81. His two-round score of 157 leaves him with a challenging final two rounds today and tomorrow as he tries to reach the qualifying mark of 308.

DWAYNE PEARMAN -- Four-shot lead over Kim Swan.