It may have been a long time in the making, but for Dwayne Pearman playing in a PGA Tour event was well worth the wait.

The 56-year-old professional is among five local players that are making their PGA Tour debut in the inaugural Bermuda Championship, which starts today at Port Royal Golf Course.

“They say right now I’m on the back nine, which is all right,” Pearman said. “But I’m glad I was able to get into one PGA Tour event before it’s all over. I’m glad I made it.”

The former Port Royal head professional will tee off in the opening round of the tournament among a threesome, which includes Americans Heath Slocum and Scott Harrington.

Pearman was granted a sponsor’s exemption from qualification for the event, which is a new addition to the 2019-20 PGA Tour. The multiple Bermuda Open, Bermuda PGA Championship and Bermuda PGA Matchplay winner knows he will have his work cut out.

“All those guys are good golfers, so you can’t take it away from any one of them,” he said. “Any one of them can win it at any time and are all good golfers.”

While he is making his debut at this level, Pearman intends to approach the event as he would any other.

“It’s going to be business as usual and I practise everyday anyway,” he said. “One thing about golf you never know what’s going to happen until you get out there, so you just go out there and do the best you can. Some days you got it and some days not, so you just roll with the punches.

“I do know the golf course, but you’ve still got to hit the shots and make the putts. You still need luck on your side and you never know. I just go out there and do the best I can.”

n Malcolm Gosling, president and chief executive of Goslings International Ltd, has announced the founding of the Birdies for Bermudians programme, in conjunction with the Bermuda Championship.

The brand Goslings Rum, The Spirit of Bermuda, has pledged $500 for each birdie posted by each Bermudian in championship, $1,000 for each eagle, and $5,000 for each double eagle.

The proceeds raised by Birdies for Bermudians will be donated to Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre.

Today is Ladies Day at the championship, with tickets available for $15 at the gate. In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, all proceeds from ladies’ ticket sales will be donated to Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre.