Defending Bermuda Open champion PJ Cowan is hoping to go down a storm on the Island again -- and the windier the weather the better.

Cowan took the title last year and is looking forward to trying to hold on to the trophy when play gets underway at Port Royal Golf Course today.

But whereas many golfers like calm conditions when they address the ball, the American is hoping the winds are gusting when he tees off at 9.32 a.m.

"Port Royal is great,'' he said. "I like it when the wind blows because I play very well in hard conditions on hard golf courses. I wouldn't come if it was a short course and it was a birdie-fest.

"You'd rather play hard US open golf courses because the better ball striker always wins. Nobody gets lucky on a hard golf course. And Port Royal is up there,'' he said, adding, "I don't mind if 75-75-75-75 wins. I would like good hard conditions so a ball striker wins.'' Though he has played on many great courses, Cowan said it was always a pleasure to come back to the Island.

"I'm looking forward to playing because Bermuda is my favourite place in the world,'' he said. "I stay with Lynn and Terry Rance who host me every year, so that makes the whole tournament more enjoyable.'' As for his form at the moment, `could do better' is probably the phrase that sums Cowan up.

"I'm playing decent, not playing great, but I'm playing pretty good,'' he said. "This year I've been concentrating on my family, because I have a new-born, rather than playing golf all the time but the Bermuda Open is always on my list.'' "I won the New York State Open for a record third time in August and I got the Player of the Year in the Met PGA. I've played about 12 tournaments this year rather than 30 because of the family.'' Cowan said he expected the strength of competition to be about the same as in previous years.

"I'm assuming it will be the same old faces -- Mike Donald, Ken Green, Chris Van Der Velde,'' he said. "It's good for the time of the year because the big names are elsewhere and have better things to do because of the prize money.

For the guys who have nothing to do for the week, this is perfect.'' Without underestimating his opponents, Cowan said he was determined to put on a good showing and return home with the title intact.

"Obviously you win once, you want to come back and win it again,'' he said.

"I've had three seconds and a win in the last four years and one was in a play-off so technically I could have had three wins in a row if I had played a little better. But you can't win them all and second is better than third.'' Asked if he was the player others would have their eye on, Cowan said: "I would like to think I'm one of them. You can never say `yes I'm going to win', but I would like to think I'm going to be one of the guys to beat.'' The first three rounds of the 2000 Open take place today, tomorrow and Saturday with the final round on Sunday.

A total of $60,000 in prize money is up for grabs -- $50,000 for the main event and a further $10,000 for the inaugural seniors event.