Defending champion Tim Conley fired the best round of one-under-par 69 on the second day of the Belmont Invitation yesterday...but quickly shot down any suggestion of a second successive title.

Instead he revealed that an illness that has prevented him from playing golf for the last three weeks could even drive him off the course before the end of the tournament.

Former PGA Tour pro Conley's round of 69 was matched only by resident pro Cornell Bean, and both now trail by six shots leader Joe Carr who had to be content with a 71 to follow his superb opening day 65.

Meanwhile, American Fran Marrello moved within two of Carr with an even par 70.

But while Conley's round yesterday might have sounded a warning to the rest of the field, there was no doubt in the Georgian pro's mind that he was in Bermuda "only to make up the numbers.'' "It was questionable when I arrived last week whether I'd even play,'' explained Conley. "I've had three or four different injuries, but the main problem is a complaint which is known as Minears disease. It causes balance problems, and that's what I'm suffering from at the the moment.

"If I put my head back or lean forward, I get dizzy. I'm taking various medications and they're causing side-affects. I've been suffering from cramps and today my arm was real bad. And it's getting worse.

"The cool weather seems to help but in the heat I get nauseous, high blood pressure and feel light-headed.

"While I'm on the medication I can't drive, and I can't drink alcohol. And the funny thing is people see me stumbling about and probably think I'm drunk, but it's because I can't get my balance.'' Conley, winner of this tournament last year and in 1991, said he would attempt to finish the event this week and then take a complete break until February.

"There's more tests, more blood work to be done,'' he added. "It's apparently easily treatable, but I need to get it sorted out before I play again.'' Conley's bizarre round yesterday included chip-ins at three holes -- for birdie, par, and bogey. And he also sunk a number of lengthy putts.

"Because I haven't been playing I've been spending a lot of time on the putting green,'' he explained. "And in the first two rounds I've probably sunk about ten good putts a day to keep me alive. Without the putting, I'd be out of it.'' While Carr (136) saw his lead shrink to two yesterday, he wasn't overly concerned about the way he played.

"I didn't play very well, but you take what you can get,'' said the 55-year-old New Englander. "I would have liked to have kept a three shot lead, but you're not going to shoot 65 every days. I figure if 71 is my worst round, I won't be in bad shape. And I really think I'll play better tomorrow anyway.'' Winner of tournament outright twice and senior champion every year since that division's introduction in 1990, Carr joked: "I reckon at my age these young guys should be giving me strokes. If I run out of Geritol, I'm going to be in big trouble.'' Carr's round yesterday, which began on the back nine, included birdies at 13 and eight, offset by bogeys at 16, 18 and four.

Besides Marrello, the leader faces a challenge from regular Boston visitor Paul Parajeckas and local pro J.J. Madeiros who both added one-over 71s to their first day 70s and still remain five shots adrift on 141.

Bracketed on 142 are Conley, Bean and Dwayne Pearman who could manage only a 74 yesterday.

The amateur division saw Barry DeCouto card 74 to move into a tie with Scott Mayne who had to settle for 75 yesterday.

Eldon Raynor continued to lead the senior amateur division with a 76 to follow his first day 74.

TWO OF A KIND -- Defending champion Tim Conley (left) and Belmont pro Cornell Bean shared the day's best round of 69 in the Belmont Invitation yesterday.

But the ailing Conley says he isn't even sure whether he'll finish the tournament.