A local team led by professional Dwayne Pearman made a superb start to the inaugural Bermuda 3s World Team Championship presented by Goslings during the opening qualifying round at Mid Ocean Club yesterday.

Pearman’s team, including amateur trio Craig Christensen, Christopher Morris and former Premier Michael Dunkley, carded a 14-under par, 128 which left them just four shots off leaders John Nieporte, Keith Frankel, Pete Mazzola and Andrew Graves who are representing Trump International Golf Club.

“It was fun playing with the ex-premier Dunkley,” Pearman said. “We had a good time and team-wise we did OK.”

Dunkley added: “No talk about the game until it is over, but glad to see a new event coming to Bermuda offering play at three of our superb golf courses.”

The remaining local team led by professional Daniel Augustus is in seventh at three-under-par 139.

“Mid Ocean was in great condition; the winds made the round a real test,” Augustus said.

Malcolm Gosling, Max Atherden and Krister Hagnevik are the remaining amateur members playing with Augustus.

“I’ve got a great team to play with,” Augustus added.

“Hopefully the team and myself can get it going these next three days because collectively it should have been way better than what we shot.”

Despite struggling with the putter, Augustus earned a share of second in the professional division after firing a one-over 72, which left him two shots off the lead held by Peter Gustafsson of the Niitvälja Golf Course.

“I had two three putts and a triple early in the round; surprised I’m only two back,” Augustus said.

Pearman is in a three-way tie for seventh at four-over 75.

“Individually I didn’t play great,” he said. “I double bogeyed a par three [No 7], which was a bit odd.

“I didn’t strike it as good as I would have liked to. But you take what you get and these things I have learnt.”

Today will see the final round of qualifiers held at Port Royal Golf Course.

Because of a lower than anticipated field all 12 of the participating teams will qualify for the 36-hole par three Pro-Am Championship taking place tomorrow and Thursday at Turtle Hill Golf Club.

All professionals are also compete individually for a purse.