After 31 years on the European Tour the Delgany man is looking to fresh horizons, writes John O'Sullivan

Eamonn Darcy stood over a 10-foot putt on the home green of the European Open, the 72nd hole of a tournament that marked his swansong after 31 years on the European Tour. Sentiment decreed that he should hole the putt for eagle, walk away smiling, enjoy that grandstand finish literally.

Professional sport doesn't often offer up a worthy epitaph easily, and this occasion, unfortunately, was no different. The putt rambled to within an inch of the hole to leave a tap-in birdie for a 69 and a one-over-par 289 for the tournament.

The significance of the final stroke was possibly lost on those who had gathered around the 18th green to watch the final day's fare. The polite applause was no more raucous than for many of the previous finishers.

It was a pity, because Darcy has been a superb ambassador for Irish golf, both at home and abroad, and his final bow on the European Tour stage was a tad muted.

Not that Darcy was feeling sentimental, at least not yet.

"I haven't thought about it yet. During the week when I went home I wasn't in the best of form and I think it was probably because it was my last tournament. I think it is time to get out, leave it to the young fellas. I have had a good run."

The European Open marked his 610th official tournament - Sam Torrance has played in 671 - and he conceded that, world-wide, he has probably played in well over 700.

Far from abandoning tournament golf, he is refocusing on a career in the Seniors' equivalent. He turns 50 on August 7th and plans to play a few seniors tournaments in the United States.

"I am looking forward to playing with a lot of my pals. I am hoping that I can get a few invitations in America (his manager, Chubby Chandler, is hoping to ensure that). If not, I will play in Europe and then go to the school in November."

So what were the highlights of his career on the regular tour?

"The Ryder Cup (1987 Muirfield Village, when he beat Ben Crenshaw in the singles on the final day) is an obvious one. There was also the Dunhill Cup when I captained Ireland and we won in 1988 alongside Des (Smyth) and Ronan (Rafferty).

"At the end of the day we play for cash, but when it is a team event it is much sweeter when you play for your country. I won a couple of tournaments in the '70s with Christy Jnr which were great fun. It all seemed so easy then. You had a few jars and still shot 68. I think we developed a conscience and thought we shouldn't be doing that. When you're younger you don't give a hoot and just go out and play."

The "grizzled" veteran confirmed that the stars of today wouldn't dream of such high jinks. "They are too serious altogether."

During his 31 years Darcy has played with the best in the world, spanning generations; he singled out Christy O'Connor Snr as the foremost Irish golfer, and awarded the international accolade to Tiger Woods.

He confirmed that the honour of being named Ryder Cup captain when the event reaches Ireland in 2006 would supersede anything he has achieved on the fairways.

"I think that whoever gets it, it should be an Irish captain. It's a way of saying thanks for contributing so much since the war to the Ryder Cup."

His goals on the Seniors tour are simple: to win. "I want to win again. Everybody is saying that I am playing well enough to win and I agree, but it has been a while since I have won and I have to be careful not to be too hard on myself. You still have to be able to manage the situation to get across the line. I have to sort that out in my head."

He indicated that he would like to play for a couple of years in the United States and then "put my feet up". One wouldn't bet against him adding to the coffers of his "golden years" retirement scheme.