million dollars, might be the biggest name ever to play in the Bermuda Open, and as such should be a hot favourite when this year's golf tournament begins at Port Royal tomorrow.

But glancing at the field of 120 it would appear unlikely he'll get everything his own way.

Among his challengers are at least six former champions, including Tim Conley, who like Mahaffey makes his living on the tour, albeit mostly the Nike circuit.

And there's also Canadian touring pro Stuart Hendley, known perhaps as much for his exhibitions and speaking engagements as he is for his golf.

But Hendley's record is an impressive one. He's played six events on the South African Tour of Merit this year and is currently ranked 46th on that circuit.

Last year he had four top ten finishes on the Canadian Tour including second at the Trafalgar Canadian Classic in Alberta. And in 1992 he won the Infiniti Tournament Players Championship in Caledon, Ontario.

Also among the overseas invasion is defending champion Jeff Lewis, who first won the Bermuda Open in 1985, Gene Fieger who won in 1992, Bob Mucha, the '89 champion, and Ian Doig, a three-time winner of the Belmont Invitational.

Bermuda's challenge will led by '88 winner Dwayne Pearman and Cornell Bean who defeated Pearman in this year's Bermuda PGA Match Play final.

All told 54 foreign professionals are in the field, believed to be the largest number in the event's history, and 10 local pros.

Of the 56 amateurs, all with handicaps of eight or better, 29 are local and 27 from overseas.

For the professionals, a cheque of $12,000 awaits the winner with $7,500 going to the runner-up in a total purse of $50,000.

The 72-hole Open begins tomorrow, first tee off time at 7.40 a.m. Tee-off times, see Scoreboard