A change of rule means that, at 49, Des Smyth will be eligible to compete in the US Seniors' Qualifying School this time next year. And buoyed by an outstanding performance in the inaugural UBS Warburg Cup last weekend, he is ready to give the matter serious thought.
Among the positive aspects of his appearance in the Rest of the World team at Kiawah Island, Smyth highlighted the genuine warmth of the American players towards him. For instance former US Open and USPGA champion, Larry Nelson, told him: "Des, you could do our tour (Seniors) a lot of favours by playing it."
Such an observation is totally at variance with the normal, European perception of the American scene. From the time that a youthful Seve Ballesteros had problems in gaining acceptance there, the popular view has been that American players don't want talented invaders encroaching on their territory.
"I found their attitude to be refreshingly straight," said Smyth after returning home yesterday. "They won't make idle promises about sponsors' invitations, but if you're good enough, you'll succeed. They're prepared to spoil you, only if you have the game to match."
Referring to his performance as the only Rest of the World player to emerge with a 100 per cent record, he said: "It gave me a much higher profile in the US, though a lot of them knew what I was doing in Europe from the Golf Channel.
"And taking a longer view of things, it could be a considerable boost if I end up on the seniors' tour over there."
Smyth, who will be 49 in February, then explained the change of rule which he could be taking advantage of next November. "It means that you could now earn a place in the tour school which you could pick up when you turn 50," he said. "In my case, that will be February 2003 and I'll be giving it serious thought in the months ahead."
Another bonus from the tournament, which a US team led by Arnold Palmer won by 121/2 points to 111/2, has been the boost to Smyth's ambitions of captaining Europe in the Ryder Cup at The K Club in 2006.
Meanwhile, the personnel involved at Kiawah Island provided resonances for him of an exhibition match labelled "The Legends" at Baltray back in 1987, when he was involved in an elite, charity fourball with Palmer, Christy O'Connor Snr and Lee Trevino.
On that point, it was clear that Gary Player, skipper of the Rest of the World line-up, did his homework before choosing Smyth as his partner for foursomes last Friday and fourballs on Saturday.
"Gary told me that with the wind a permanent factor at Kiawah, he wanted an experienced links player as a partner," said the Irishman.
As one might expect, Player chose well insofar as he and Smyth won both their matches. "It was terrific to be playing against Arnold on both days," he went on. "In fact the whole thing was a wonderful experience for me, especially the short (197 yards) 17th, which is unquestionably the most difficult par three I've ever played."
What were his prospects of selection on future teams? "As a player, I could only do my job - the rest is up to the commercial people," he said.
"But the general feeling was that the event had been a tremendous success and that it could only get better, down the road."
And what of the competition? "It was tough, as you would expect," he replied. "But there was none of the ruthlessness that seemed to be part of recent Ryder Cups."
