Ames heads field as big names skip Texas Open

This week's Texas Open leaderboard will not feature many of the sport's biggest names, but birdies should still be easy to find at San Antonio's La Cantera Golf Club.

The Texas Open has traditionally produced some of the year's lowest scores, including the 72-hole record of 26-under 254 set by Tommy Armour III in 2003.

American Eric Axley collected his maiden PGA Tour title at the event last year with a sparkling total of 265, but in the last 25 years the winner has gone 262 or lower 10 times.

With Tiger Woods and most of the top players making an early start to their vacations, Canada's Stephen Ames, at number 42, holds the distinction of being the highest-ranked player at the $4.5 million event.

American Steve Flesch, with two wins in his last five starts, is the in-form player in the field, while big-hitting John Daly is sure to be the most popular.

The twice major winner needed a sponsor's exemption to gain entry into the tournament, but should be the main attraction as he bids for his first top-15 finish of the season.

US SENIOR PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP:After top-12 finishes in each of the three US Champions Tour events he took part in during September, Ireland's Des Smyth starts the Senior Players Championship today in strong form.

One of five Champions Tour majors, the tournament has a new home this season, Baltimore Country Club, after a run of 17 championships in Michigan.

SENIORS INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP: Ireland bounced back from their narrow opening day defeat by England to pip Scotland 5-4 in the men's seniors international championship at Caldy in Cheshire yesterday.

They took the foursomes 2-1 and then shared the singles spoils to secure an overall half, while England took a huge stride towards the title as they overwhelmed Wales 8-1.

Val Smyth was Ireland's hero as he and Nigel Duke won their foursomes encounter and he then beat Gordon Brown 3 & 2 in the singles. Ireland will need to whitewash Wales today and hope Scotland can beat England for them to clinch the crown.

At Royal Tara, Ireland lost 5.5-1.5 to Wales in the women's seniors internationals after losing both foursomes. England are on course for a fifth title in a row after defeating Scotland 4-3.