the Bermuda Open yesterday at Port Royal.

Donald, a 16-year US PGA Tour pro, battled with his game in blustery, difficult conditions at the Southampton course. But so did the rest of the field. He was the only player who didn't finish the tournament over par -- ending on a four-round total of 284. His 65 on Friday was the best round of the week.

"It was tough out there,'' said Donald, who finished just one stroke ahead of Craig Marseilles of Toronto after having held a five-stroke, third-round lead.

"The whole day was a struggle.

"I was trying not to make a mistake, trying to play conservatively, but it just wasn't working.

"I thought I'd let them (playing partners Marseilles and two-time Bermuda Open winner Jeff Lewis) back in several times.

"I didn't really feel too good until that last 12-inch putt (for par, and victory, on 18).

Marseilles, who also finished second in 1992, birdied the last. But, fortunately for Donald, it was not quite enough to force a play-off.

Donald has bad memories of play-offs having lost his chance of a victory in a Major championship when Hale Irwin holed a 50-foot pitch at the last to force a play-off at the US Open five years ago. The pair were tied after 18 play-off holes but Donald lost out when Irwin got a birdie on the first extra hole of sudden death.

Donald is bidding to re-qualify for the US Tour having lost his card after finishing outside the top 125 money-winners last year.

And his win yesterday has given him a major confidence-booster. "I've struggled lately so it's nice to win,'' said Donald, who earned $12,000 for his victory.

"It was brutal out there today but it's a great golf course,'' he said.

"It's very tough and the greens are very tricky. Even from six feet you've got to hit a heck of a putt.

"But if I'm not playing the Tour I'll definitely be back next year.'' Runner-up Marseilles agreed with Donald's assessment of the final round. "It was quite an ordeal out there today,'' he said.

Marseilles started steadily while Donald struggled. But he bogeyed 10 (a good birdie opportunity) for the second day in a row and followed up with another bogey on 11.

The par-three 16th, however, was to prove the Canadian's downfall. He couldn't get his ball out of the greenside bunker and ended with a triple bogey when a short putt lipped out.

But he vowed to be back next year. "As long as the tournament's at this golf course I feel I've got a chance,'' he said.

Lewis, the champion in 1985 and 1993, finished five shots back -- the same way he started the day after shooting a four-under-par 67 on Saturday.

He was going well yesterday until a triple bogey on eight stopped his momentum. "I think that cost me the golf tournament,'' he said after ending his round with back-to-back bogeys.

Last year's champion Stuart Hendley and 1986 winner Patrick Horgan, whose 69 was the best round of the day yesterday, took advantage of Lewis' plight to leapfrog into joint third, four strokes behind the winner.

Lewis had to settle for joint fifth along with the 1990 champion Tim Balmer.

Bermuda's Henry Ascento was top amateur for the second year in succession, shooting a 73 yesterday to add to two previous 73s and an opening round 71.

He finished seventh overall, level with the 1987 champion Tim Conley.

Ascento also earned the distinction of beating all the local pros. Dwayne Pearman finished a shot behind Ascento, together with Victor Leoni and 1992 champion Gene Fieger.

Kim Swan was a further shot back.

Ascento's consistent scoring saw him blow away the rest of the amateur field, with talented junior Robbie Spurling finishing 17 shots adrift in second, with Bill Pitt a further two strokes behind in third.

"I've been playing very well lately,'' said Ascento who goes to Caracas, Venezuela, with Hav Trott next month to represent Bermuda in the Simon Bolivar Tournament. "It has to be one of my best performances at the Open.'' Jeff Julian shot a 66 in last Wednesday's Pro-Am to take the $1,200 first prize.

PAR-FECT -- Mike Donald finished at level par but it was enough to give him the 1995 Bermuda Open title on his first visit to Port Royal.