All the good things his brother had told him about this country were more than justified for Bruce Fleisher when he captured the AIB Irish Seniors Open by three strokes at Tulfarris yesterday.

In the process, he became the first American in 23 years to make a victorious tournament debut here, emulating the achievement of Hubert Green in 1977.

That was when Green, who is now a colleague of Fleisher's on the US Seniors Tour, won the Irish Open at Portmarnock, after Ben Crenshaw had gained the same distinction the previous year.

And with a top prize of Stg£27,264, the 51-year-old brought his earnings over the last two weeks to $240,000 and past $1 million for the season.

There was cold comfort for his rivals when he said afterwards: "I don't think I have even touched what I can do in this game. I feel I can get better and better."

Then he added: "Winning is a wonderful feeling, much more important than the money. Unfortunately the dollar tends to destroy the beauty of the game."

Christy O'Connor Jnr, who will become a Freeman of Galway next Saturday, finished as leading Irishman, earning £4,885 for a share of eight place.

"I'm very disappointed," he said after a closing 71 which could have been very much better. "I think I made a mistake by not coming here a week earlier, but I didn't want to take three weeks off from the US Tour."

Like an accomplished highwire artist, Fleisher saw fit to include a few stumbles to heighten spectator excitement over the final round. In the event, a fivestroke overnight lead shrank to two strokes when compatriot and playing partner George Burns birdied the long seventh.

Indeed the gap could have been even tighter but for Fleisher's good fortune at the short sixth, where his tee-shot seemed destined for a watery grave before bouncing off a friendly rock and onto the green for a two-putt par.

Meanwhile, the third member of the final group, Maurice Bembridge, got within three strokes of the leader with birdies at the first, third and seventh. But there was never even the suggestion that Fleisher, who has had 10 victories on the US Seniors' Tour over the last 16 months, might be getting ruffled. Still, he was acutely aware of the quality of his challengers. Burns will be remembered in this country as winner of the Kerrygold Classic at Waterville in 1975 when, having been in professional ranks only a few months, he was obliged to accept a gold bar in lieu of the $1,000 first prize.

Bembridge was runner-up to John O'Leary in the Irish Open at Portmarnock in 1982. And back in 1969, he gained the distinction of equalling the Augusta National course record with a sparkling 64 in the US Masters. But the Englishman dropped three strokes over the last four holes while Burns finished the stronger to claim a share of second place with Bob Shearer, who shot a best-of-the-tournament final round of 66.

As it happened, Burns immediately fell away again when he got within two strokes of the lead, hitting an indifferent drive, approach and chip to run up a bogey at the eighth. And from Fleisher's standpoint, the 10th had a crucial bearing on the outcome, even though his rival also had a birdie there.

Displaying impeccable course management, the leader hit a five-wood off the tee for position at this 434-yard par four which dog-legs sharply to the left. Then came a six-iron and yet another beautifully-stroked 12-foot putt.

And he went on to birdie the long 13th, which he reached with a seven-iron, and the long 15th, where a nine-iron second was all he needed. Four strokes clear at that stage, he was content to coast the remainder of the journey, carding bogeys at the 17th and 18th.

"I played a little cautiously today," he admitted. "The wind and cold made the course difficult and, despite the pressure from George and Maurice, I knew I could turn things around, if I played as I know I can."

The fact that only five players finished in red figures spoke volumes for the quality of a venue, which was nothing short of remarkable, no more than a year after its launch.