O'Connor due another breakthrough

The notion of a quiet, productive week on home soil, receded rapidly for David Jones, on seeing the draw for the first round of the £220,000 AIB Irish Senior Open, which starts at Tulfarris today. He could have little hope of remaining unobtrusive in the company of Bruce Fleisher and Tommy Horton.

Fleisher is widely acknowledged as currently the best senior in the world, a status he emphasised as recently as last weekend by retaining the Home Depot Invitational title in North Carolina for his third victory of the year. Against that background, it is a marvellous boost to have him in a field which also includes Christy O'Connor Jnr.

But at least one regular European campaigner is not all that impressed. "I don't care who they bring in, Tommy Horton remains the player to beat," said Scotland's David Huish, who also happens to be a member of the Ryder Cup committee. "Tommy's record over the last five years speaks for itself."

No wonder Jones was a little on edge last night at the prospect of being caught in a transatlantic duel. "It should be quite an experience," said the Ulsterman. "I am especially looking forward to seeing Fleisher in action, given what he has achieved in the last two seasons."

Indeed the American's dominance has been quite remarkable, in view of a relatively modest career on the US "regular" Tour, where his lone victory was in the New England Classic in 1991. "There's no mystery about it," said O'Connor Jnr. "He's a tremendous golfer who is very hard to beat. His great strength is that he has no weakness and there aren't many golfers you can say that about."

Indeed even the uncle, Christy O'Connor Snr, was not without the flaw of a fragile putting stroke. But at 75, he remains a remarkable competitor who is certain to attract a large gallery today in the company of Manuel Ballesteros and the South African, Bobby Verwey.

Golfing skills of all ages are certain to be tested by a classic, parkland stretch which has the potential to become one of the finest in the country. Even at this stage of its maturity, Tulfarris is in admirable condition, especially the sand-based, medium-paced greens.

Designed by Patrick Merrigan, whose earlier creation at Slieve Russell was the venue for the Smurfit Irish Professional Championship of 1996, its tees are angled in such a way as to place special emphasis on getting the line right. Any drive hit through the fairway will find very punishing rough, which more than compensates in lushness for its modest height.

The challenge will also be governed to a significant degree by the weather. During yesterday's pro-am, a chilly breeze freshened considerably on the holes out by Poulaphuca Lake, and even off the men's medal tees, some of the longer par fours were quite demanding.

John Morgan, who captured this title 12 months ago at Mount Juliet, continues to campaign in the US where he is 43rd in money list, two places ahead of O'Connor. Having played 12 events there already this year, he is back in an attempt at securing a third Irish triumph, having earlier won the West of Ireland Seniors at East Clare in 1998.

When O'Connor Jnr finished fourth at Mount Juliet, the Galwayman had not yet hit the form which was to bring him three tournament victories, including the British Senior Open. Now he is an established member of the US Seniors' Tour, with earnings of $132,777 from 11 events so far this year.

By his own estimation, he is playing well, but the missing ingredient is another win. "I can't think of a better place to make the breakthrough than here this week," he said. And despite the projected dominance of Fleisher and Horton, he seems to be in the mood to do it.