Tim Conley successfully defended his Bermuda Open title yesterday before urging organisers to substantially increase the prize purse to attract more quality golfers to the tournament.

The Champions Tour player carded a final round four-under-par 67 at Port Royal yesterday to finish the Open with an eight-under-par total of 276, while fellow two-time champion Dwayne Pearman was the top Bermudian, shooting an even-par total 284, finishing fifth.

But Conley admitted he was disappointed with the 67-man field and believed travel and accommodation costs compared unfavourably in relation to the $50,000 prize money, deterring many overseas-based players from entering the event.

"The Bermuda Golf Association always has a great tournament, but it's disappointing to only get 60-odd guys here," he said. "They need to get it up to a hundred players or so.

"It's an expensive few days to come to Bermuda with the flights, accommodation, transportation and entry fee. You have to spend $2,000 to try and win $10,000. This is a good tournament and it needs greater recognition. More money will attract more quality players."

Had it not been for his indifferent form in the Champions Tour, the American conceded he might not have travelled to the Island to defend his crown. "If I'd been playing well in the Champions Tour I probably wouldn't have been here." he added.

"As defending champion I expected to win and I support Bermuda golf. I hope they can get big sponsors in the future and now they're going to change the golf course so we'll see what's in store for the future."

Three-time Open winner Kim Swan, who finished 17th, has long echoed Conley's sentiments, campaigning for the Bermuda Golf Association to 'jack-up' the prize money to make the tournament financially more attractive.

"I feel there's a great opportunity for Bermuda to do more with this tournament," said the former touring pro. "For our national championships, there should be a $200,000 prize purse. I was happy to see (Bermudian) Eric West do well and other young guys like Nick Jones, but in order to encourage them we need an event of the highest calibre so they've something back home to measure themselves.

"Bermuda is the third wealthiest country in the world, per capita, so $50,000 for the national championships is not good enough.

"This event attracts good players like PH Horgan and Damon Green and they need to know if they make the cut they get a cheque that at least covers their expenses.

"I'm not knocking the event, but Bermuda with its wealth should have a national championships that affords its local players and those based overseas an opportunity to play for some decent money. It's the Bermuda Golf Association's event and they need to make it happen, it has the potential to grow."

Conley entered the final round with a two-shot lead over Horgan, who finished third, and three shots ahead of second-placed Brian McCann who pushed the winner all the way.

"Horgan struggled at little in the fourth round, while Brian (McCann) got to within three shots of me several times throughout the day," said Conley.

"I got a pretty good lead on Saturday even though I made a seven on hole 17, which everybody else birdied. Brian (McCann) and I birdied hole seven and he birdied ten and 11 to get within three shots. Then I birdied 14 and bogeyed 15, and we both birdied 16 and 17.

"I thought I chipped and putted well and some of us like Horgan and Mike Donald have played this golf course so many times, we know where not to go."

Pearman said he was pleased with his form throughout the tournament, but felt he did not score as well as he was hitting.

"I felt pretty good and was hitting the ball well and I can take some positives from the way I played."

Zach Johnson's caddy Damon Green came fourth with a three-under par 281.