Dwayne Pearman yesterday clinched his second Bermuda Open title - 14 years after his first - after he hung on to win by one shot in a thrilling finale at Port Royal Golf Course.

The Ocean View professional started the day with a three-shot lead over a group of three North American pros, including former Open champion Tim Conley.

Conley fired a three-under-par 68 and put severe pressure on the local and at one point yesterday wiped out his lead, but Pearman maintained his composure to grab what turned out to be a championship-winning birdie on the 17th.

Like Conley, he made par on the 18th and when he sank the 18-inch putt to clinch the title, the substantial gallery gathered around the green roared their approval as the relieved Pearman embraced his caddie for the day, Eardley Jones.

Pearman's final-round 70 left him with a 72-hole total of one-under-par 283, a shot clear of second-placed Conley and two strokes clear of third-placed Patrick Horgan.

Briton Bill Longmuir, a former European Tour player, claimed fourth place, while the challenge of Canadian Ian Doig fell away with a fourth-round 73 which dropped him to fifth place.

Pearman looked a relieved man after hanging on to claim the title and the $12,000 winner's cheque that came with it.

“It's about time, it's been 14 years since I won it,” said Pearman. “I've had a second and a few thirds, but it's really nice to win my home tournament again.

“It feels great, it's been a tough week for me. You know, I think the Lord pulled me through this one. I hit some good shots and I putted really well.”

On the front nine, Pearman extended his lead over Conley to four shots, but from then on Conley stepped up his challenge.

“On the front nine, those guys (Conley and Doig) didn't really make any birdies and I was just playing really steady, so I didn't really feel any pressure,” said Pearman.

“I had no idea what was happening in the other groups. Then Tim started making a few birdies on the back nine and it was getting a little close and he came within one shot.

“I got a birdie on 14 which got me going again. But then he birdied 15 and then I three-putted on 16 and coming to 17 we were all even.

“On 17, I hit a good tee shot down the middle and I wasn't sure whether I could get home or not, so I hit it as hard as I could with a three-wood, didn't quite get in on the green, but nearly, then I played a good chip, got up and down and got a birdie. I made par on 18 and so it all turned out pretty well.”

Pearman said front-running suited him these days.

“Years ago when I was playing, I always wanted to come from behind and win,” said Pearman. “It's kind of tough when you're out in front and you've got good players behind you. Tim Conley and Ian Doig are both great players. For me to have led for so long and to hang on made it even better for me.

“Now I prefer to get out in front as far as I can and let them come and try and catch me.”

He added: “I've been playing pretty well for the last few months, but I've had a bit of bad luck. I practise a lot and put a lot of time into my game, but I just don't play enough tournaments and that's what it's really all about.”

As for future plans and whether he would have another shot at the Buy.com Tour in the US next year, Pearman said: “Maybe, I'll just wait and see.”

First place in the seniors' championship was a tie between Jay Dolan and Dan Halderson who took home $2,000 each, with 54-hole totals of 227.

Local Keith Smith was third in a three-way tie with Bill Harris and T.R. Jones and each won $1,033.

The top amateur was Terry Crawley, who shot a 299 total, six strokes ahead of second-placed Gary Carr.