is his 30th consecutive appearance in the Bermuda Open.

He won the tournament in 1981.

*** MIKE Donald is one player who won't be intimidated by Port Royal.

The PGA Tour veteran lost in a play-off last year after winning the year before. That year he also set the course record with a 65.

Ken Green had the old record, a 66 in 1983, when he lost in a play-off to Kim Swan in the 1983 Open. Of course, the course -- and its rating -- was changed slightly three years ago.

*** AS befits a PGA Tour veteran, Green prides himself on remembering golf courses and holes. But he admits to being mystified at Port Royal since playing here last 14 years ago.

"The whole golf course seems like it's changed,'' he said, noting specifically the bunkers coming into play on the fairways.

*** WHEN Andrew Pitts was here a year ago, he called it his biggest win as a pro.

And it still is.

After failing to earn his PGA Tour card at qualifying school he headed back overseas to compete in South Africa and Asia. Three weeks ago, he had his best finish of the year, losing in a play-off in the Korean Open.

Next week, he said he'll try again for his card at qualifying school in Georgia, with another trip abroad looming if he doesn't make it.

*** THE cut takes place this afternoon, with the top half of the field -- plus ties -- advancing into Sunday's final round.

*** THE secret to success at Port Royal? Consensus seems to be: just hit the ball straight.

"This is a golf course where you have to drive it in the fairway,'' Green says. "You don't hit the fairways, you're not going to make a lot of birdies and it's a hard course to make a lot of birdies anyway.'' Said first-round leader Chris Van der Velde: "I feel like if you get it going with some putts you can really shoot a low score. But then again, if you're not hitting the ball well ... you're going to be in trouble.'' Defending champion Andrew Pitts will tell you all about that.

"Hit a couple of poor shots and they can end up as really bad shots,'' he said after shooting a first-round 75.