Former US PGA Tour professional P.H. Horgan will be back to defend his Bermuda Open title when the annual championship tees off at Port Royal Golf Course tomorrow.

Several familiar faces from both Bermuda and on the other side of the Atlantic will be missing from this year?s event, some local players having opted to travel to the Azores Open.

But a number of new visiting players are included in the entry, although Horgan, who also lifted the title in the 1985, will be considered the favourite.

The American pro romped to a six-shot win last year at the same course.

Others likely to be in the hunt for top honours include North Americans Rick Sovereign, Brian Golden, Thomas Jaeger and Ed Kirby.

Another two-time champion, Dwayne Pearman, will shoulder the bulk of Bermuda?s hopes along with the returning Kim Swan who created a stir last year after making comments alluding to the event?s purse.

Ace Limited have again stepped in as sponsors this year with prizemoney expected to total around $50,000.

Pearman finished 12th overall last year, two spots below Andrew Trott who was the highest local finisher.

So far this year has been ?very disappointing? for the Island?s 1988 and 2002 champion. But the current Ocean View and former Port Royal pro, who grew up a stone?s throw from the course, is hoping familiar surroundings will play to his strengths.

?I have been going through some phases over the past eight months and not been at my best,? said Pearman yesterday.

?But my game will come back and I do intend to go out there and put my best foot forward no matter what happens. I know I haven?t really played well for at least a year now but I just hope to go out there and play good and what will be will be.?

Meanwhile, local resident Dave Allison will be back to defend his amateur crown. Allison won the amateur division by a commanding 14 shots last year and finished 18th overall.

However, for the first time since the event?s inception in 1967, local pro Eardley Jones will not be in the field. The 1982 Open champion is accompanying his son and three other junior golfers to a tournament in Jekyll Island, Georgia this weekend (see story, Page 18).

Also missing this year are overseas pros Ian Doig and past Open champion Tim Conley, who have been regular competitors over the past two decades.