Regular Bermuda visitor Tim Conley will defend his title when the Bermuda Open Golf Championships get underway at Port Royal tomorrow.

Sixty seven players have signed up for this year's event - the biggest tournament on the local golf calendar - which will conclude on Sunday just two days before the PGA Grand Slam of Golf begins at Mid Ocean Club.

Conley, a former member of the PGA Tour who has been playing in Bermuda events for close to 30 years and has won a string of titles, defends his crown against a strong field which includes a number of familiar faces from overseas, including two-time Open winner PH Horgan III, who has also played on the PGA Tour.

Another well known former Tour player Mike Donald is also returning as is Canadian Ian Doig, a former winner of the Belmont Invitational.

Flying the local flag will be local pros Kim Swan and Dwayne Pearman, who won the Open several years ago and who recently represented Bermuda at the qualifying stage of the World Cup.

Among the amateurs, Leroy Burch will be among one of the favourites as he looks set to retain his title with youngsters Quinton Sherlock jr and Nick Jones likely to be in the mix.

A Pro-Am and practice round is scheduled at Port Royal today.