Fresh from his latest, lucrative raid on the US, Christy O'Connor Jnr was at Mount Juliet yesterday, turning his attentions towards Europe. And despite formidable opposition, current form suggests he may be the player to beat in the 54-hole AIB £200,000 Irish Seniors Open, starting this morning.
Denis O'Sullivan had recovered sufficiently from a damaged left knee to compete in the pre-tournament pro-am, albeit out of a buggy. So, in a field of 90, the home representation remains at 17 and includes the defending champion, Joe McDermott.
The stunning quality of Mount Juliet, which at 6,731 yards is about 400 yards shorter than for the Irish Opens of 1993 to 1995, was clearly appreciated by newcomers to the venue. But it came as no surprise to Waterville's Liam Higgins. "This is the best-conditioned course in the country at the moment," he said. "In fact it's the best we will play all season."
O'Connor got $92,400 for a share of third place behind Hale Irwin in the Nationwide Championship in Georgia last Sunday. This brought his earnings from three, recent US Senior events to $155,510 and lifted him to 33rd in the money list.
Based on last season's figures, however, he knows he would need to earn close on $600,000 to finish in the top-31 at the end of the season, so gaining full exemption for next year. "It's not really on to make that sort of money from invitations," he admitted yesterday.
He added: "I expect to play in four more events, possibly five if I qualify for the US Senior Open. On that basis I could make the top-50 in the money list, which would get me into about 20 tournaments next year. Sponsors are being very helpful and I'm 90 per cent certain of getting into the Boone Valley Classic in Missouri at the end of this month."
On the assumption that he doesn't make the top-31, O'Connor will be heading for the US Seniors Tour School in December. But the competition there will be equally tough, with only the top-nine finishers gaining full exempt status for next year.
As to his prospects this weekend, he said: "Tommy Horton is clearly in good shape after his win (in Turkey) last weekend. And Bernard Gallacher is doing a very impressive training schedule. So, my immediate target is to get into the top-10 after 36 holes and then take it from there."
O'Sullivan, who had his partner Paula acting both as caddie and driver yesterday, appears to have made a remarkable recovery from the injury which caused him to withdraw from the Beko Classic last weekend. "Acupuncture seems to have done the trick," he said.
The real test will come today, however, when he is forced to walk 18 holes in the first round. As it happens he is the first of the Irish into action in a three-ball at 8.35 a.m. with South Africa's Tienie Britz and the American T R Jones.
But main spectator interest is likely to focus on successive threeballs starting on the 10th at 8.50, when Gallacher, Christy O'Connor Snr and Peter Townsend will be followed by McDermott, Horton and O'Connor Jnr. "My success last weekend was a lovely feeling because at the start of any new season you wonder whether you still have it in you to win again," said Horton.
Eddie Polland and McDermott were the leading Irish finishers in that event, collecting £5,870 each for a share of seventh place. So, Polland is clearly maintaining the form which brought him third position in the money list at the end of last season.
Meanwhile, Kilrush-born McDermott, who has lived in Florida for the last 31 years, is delighted with the prospect of playing Mount Juliet. "It's great to come home to a course you can be really proud of," he said. "I first played it shortly after it opened and when I met Jack Nicklaus (Mount Juliet's designer) at a seniors' tournament in the States some time back, I complimented him on it."
Back in 1983, O'Connor Snr set a record by winning the PGA Seniors for a sixth time in eight years. This weekend, his nephew will be attempting to make his own mark at senior level. It's a fascinating prospect.
