O'Meara targets the K Club

If the quest for an Irish captain for the Ryder Cup at The K Club in 2006 has hit some troubled waters - with either one of Bernhard Langer, Colin Montgomerie or Nick Faldo apparently destined to scoop the prize and Irish wounds healed only by the adoption of an able lieutenant as the captain's assistant - an intriguing aspect has been added by the likelihood of the visiting American skipper having strong Irish roots.

In fact, Mark O'Meara, whose family hails from Tipperary and who was used in a marketing campaign in the US by Bord Fáilte to entice golfing tourists to these shores, has publicly stated his desire to be captain of the team for the match at Straffan.

"I feel I could do the job," claimed O'Meara, who has designed a new course at nearby Carton House in Maynooth. "I've played in five Ryder Cups. I've won major championships. I've won all over the world. I'd be in the same realm as any other strong candidate. I'd like to be captain in Ireland. If asked to take the job at The K Club, I'd accept.

"I'd bring some experience to the team. In my five appearances, I've seen both the positive and negative aspects of the cup. I'd try to run the team as smoothly as possible and bring a positive atmosphere to the whole thing. I'd want them fired up, but you don't really have to do much to get someone ready to play in a Ryder Cup."

O'Meara has long been one of the more outward-looking members of the US Tour. Unlike many US players who confine themselves to their home tour, O'Meara has won events on five continents.

So, while Des Smyth, Christy O'Connor Jnr and Eamonn Darcy have all thrown their hats into the ring in a bid to be captain of the European team, it may well be that O'Meara's captaincy of the American team could assuage any Irish hurt left by the selection of a non-Irish European captain.

"It's a sign of respect and accomplishment to be captain," said O'Meara."I'd be honoured. If I'm not selected, I'll look on it as their loss, not mine. Not to toot my own horn, but I think I'd do a good job. I know how to deal with the business people. I know how to deal with the sponsors. I've done it my whole career."

Meanwhile, even before the full itinerary for next season is known, with the search for a sponsor and venue for an Irish Open continuing and among the loose ends still to be tied up by the European Tour before the schedule is finally released, the 2003 European Tour tees off in Taiwan this week when the BMW Asian Open - the richest tournament in Asia - takes place at Ta Shee.

Padraig Harrington is one of three Irish players in the field as he follows on his second-place finish in a made-for-television skins match in Singapore last weekend by aiming to get his quest for next season's Order of Merit off to a strong start.

Harrington, who flies on to the Million Dollar challenge in South Africa after completing his engagements in Taiwan, will be joined by Paul McGinley - who is also competing in next week's event in Hong Kong - and Peter Lawrie, who secured his full tour card via the Challenge Tour where he won the season-ending Grand Final.

Elsewhere, Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell are competing in the Dunlop Phoenix on the Japanese Tour, while Smyth and Darcy today launch their bids to secure full cards on the US Seniors Tour - renamed the Champions Tour - by competing in the final qualifying school.