Bermuda Professional Golfers Association Championship at the Mid-Ocean Club yesterday.

Bean, head professional at the Belmont golf course, goes into today's second round two strokes ahead of defending champion Dwayne Pearman and Derrick Douglas.

Duncan Zelkin, the BPGA's newest member, and Keith B.Smith both shot 74 to tie for fourth place.

Bean birdied the second, sixth, eighth and ninth holes to make the turn at three-under 32. But he missed short par putts at the 10th and 13th holes on his way to carding a three-over 39 on the back nine in wet and windy conditions.

Bean, who has never won the tournament before, said: "I have only played twice since the Goodwill tournament, so I'm pretty pleased with the round. I played pretty well, particularly on the front nine.'' Results, see Scoreboard CORNELL BEAN -- two shots clear.