Zach Johnson's caddy Damon Green will pave the way for an unusual double celebration ahead of the Grand Slam of Golf when he plays in today's Bermuda Open.

Green will warm up for his caddying duties for Masters' winner Johnson, by competing in the annual Open at Port Royal Golf Course. The pair could potentially 'clean up' should they both win in their respective tournaments with the Grand Slam starting on Tuesday.

A former caddy of PGA Tour and Ryder Cup player Scott Hoch, Green is an ex-professional who played the Nike Tour in 1994 and 1995. He once just missed gaining his full playing privileges by one shot in the annual PGA Tour qualifying tournament.

American Tim Conley returns to defend his Open title with Bermuda's Dwayne Pearman and Kim Swan looking to carry over their form from last month's World Cup qualifier.

Veteran American professional Mike Donald, famed for his 19-hole play-off defeat to Hale Irwin at the 1990 US Open, in Illinois, will hope to roll back the years when he tees off this morning.

Alex Madeiros, organising the Bermuda Golf Association event, said many of the overseas players would remain on the Island for the duration of the Grand Slam.

"Around two thirds of the 66-man field are from overseas so it should be a competitive tournament," he said. "Defending champion Tim Conley has made his way back and he'll face a lot of challengers.

"Local golfers Kim Swan and Dwayne Pearman will be involved and interestingly we've Zach Johnson's caddy Damon Green playing, who's a very good golfer in his own right. Potentially they could clean up, if Damon wins the Open and Zach takes the home the Grand Slam."

Maderios said Bermuda's number one Michael Sims would not be playing as he was trying to retain his Nationwide Tour status. "He needs to play as many events left on the tour calendar as he can."

Three-time Bermuda Open winner Kim Swan said he looks forward to the championships every year and was buoyed so many young overseas-based Bermuda golfers had returned.

"I was privileged to be able to win the Bermuda Open three times before I was 30, I am now 50," said Swan. "Even when a I was overseas I always made an effort to return for the Open, it's a special event for me. I'm just thankful I'm still competing and able to consider myself a contender.

"It's pleasing to see young guys like Nick Jones, Eric West and Ryan Roberts involved. It's important Bermuda's best young golfers take part in this tournament.

"With the Grand Slam nearly upon us, golf's at the forefront of things in Bermuda at the moment, it's really on the radar. I can assure you I enjoy my golf more now than I even did when I was younger."

The 41st Bermuda Open Championship runs from tomorrow until Sunday, boasting a $50,000 prize. Competitors play one round each on the first three days with the low half of the field and ties qualifying for the final round on the last day.

In the event of a tie after four rounds, the winner will be determined by a sudden death play-off.