Fourball practice plans go off course

It would have been a practice fourball for himself and his pals to cherish into old age and it was all set up for 10.30 this morning: Jack Nicklaus, Christy O'Connor Jnr, Eamonn Darcy and Des Smyth. But after all his planning, O'Connor was crushed to discover on Monday night that his one-time colleagues had failed to qualify.

For his part, the Galway man seems to have difficulty in avoiding the Bear at a St Andrews staging of the British Open. He played the first two rounds with Nicklaus on the occasion of a memorable triumph in 1970 and was again the American's partner for the opening 36 holes when he went on to capture his last Open here in 1978.

Now, both men are looking at a farewell to the home of golf this weekend. But O'Connor has in mind to return one day as a spectator, to watch from the railings and meet up with the many friends he has made here over the years. "You know, the first time I saw the British Open was when Jack (Nicklaus) won at Muirfield in 1966," said O'Connor, who is exempted as winner of the Senior British Open at Royal Portrush 12 months ago.

When he returned as a 21-year-old competitor in 1970, he was accompanied by Ann, who would later become his wife. He recalls holing two approach shots while qualifying at Monifieth and attending mass with former USPGA champion Dave Marr and his wife. And his delight at being drawn with his hero, Nicklaus.

O'Connor missed the cut on that occasion and again in 1978. In fact, it would be 1990 before he completed four rounds of a St Andrews Open and, by that stage, there was the additional experience of the Dunhill Cup in which he played in 1985 and 1989, before going on to his last appearance in 1992.

Currently plying his craft on the US Seniors' Tour, O'Connor was to have played in the Ford Senior Players' Championship in Dearborn, Michigan last weekend, but withdrew because of sinusitis, brought on by extensive flying.

His practice plans with Nicklaus were arranged recently in the US. O'Connor has regular meetings with the Bear, now that they are business partners in golf-course design. In fact, they will be embarking on a venture in the autumn at Kill, Co Kildare.

Meanwhile, what were O'Connor's targets this week? "Without fooling myself, I suppose the extent of my ambitions should be to make four rounds," he replied.

"But my competitive instincts tell me to look higher. And a top-15 place would be the ultimate." And after that? "Realistically, I'm saying goodbye to the Old Course and a fund of wonderful memories," he concluded.