Former PGA Tour pro P.H. Horgan III remained firmly on course to defend his Bermuda Open crown after carding a respectable one-over-par 72 in blustery conditions to claim a share of the lead with European pro Fredrick Mansson at Port Royal Golf Course yesterday.

On a day which saw several scores balloon into the 80s, the defending two-time champion seemed unfazed by mother nature?s onslaught as he went on to make par on 15 holes after his round had gathered early momentum with a birdie at the 539-yard par-five second hole.

Only bogeys on the eighth and 13th would blot Horgan?s copy book on what otherwise proved to be a ?consistent? day of golf.

?As long as Nick Faldo doesn?t show up I think I?ll be okay,? joked the defending champion afterwards, referring to the former Masters and British Open champion?s appearance at the Gold Cup sailing regatta in Hamilton Harbour earlier this week.

?I think he (Faldo) needs to stay away from Port Royal and as long as he stays on the sailboat then I?ll be fine.?

However, on a more serious note, the 44 year-old Horgan said he was generally pleased by his day?s performance.

?I felt that I had a few birdie opportunities that I didn?t take advantage of,? he conceded. ?But I did make a couple of nice up and downs from the bunkers and overall I have played consistently.?

Like the rest of the field, Horgan had to contend with a strong wind ? particularly on the back nine.

?It was tough. This golf course is tough and you can?t overpower it,? he said. ?You have to position yourself around the course and take whatever it gives you especially when the winds are blowing around 25 miles per hour.?

With two rounds left to play, Horgan hopes to make further inroads today towards a third Open title.

?I just hope I can maintain my consistency and take it from there,? he said. ?I?m currently tied for the lead and so far I think I?ve made a decent defence of my championship.?

Joint leader Mansson, meanwhile, carded the day?s lowest round as he entered the clubhouse with a 68 while New Yorker Chris Damaino also remained in the hunt for top honours after shooting 74 to take sole possession of third spot.

Another former Open champion, Bermuda?s Dwayne Pearman presently leads all local pros after adding a 73 to his opening round score of 75, while last year?s top local pro Andrew Trott also shot 75 yesterday to remain in a three-way tie for 11th.

Defending local amateur champion Dave Allison, who shared the overall lead after a first round of even-par 71, maintained a two-shot lead in his division over Leroy Burch (currently in a three-way tie for 11th) after shooting a 76 yesterday.

Allison is now three shots off the pace in a three-way tie for fifth.