Torrance's hunger hasn't abated

Irish Seniors Open:  It's the same virtually every week. Sam Torrance, who has teed the ball up more often on the regular European Tour than any other player in its history, with over 700 appearances in an honour-laden professional career stretching over 35 years, simply assumes the mantle of tournament favourite by his mere presence at an event on the European Seniors Tour. Philip Reid reports from Fota Island

His results testify just why it is so. Last year, the Scot, now 52 years of age, topped the Seniors Tour order of merit and, just a fortnight ago, when winning the Italian Seniors Open, Torrance showed his hunger for titles hasn't abated. So, what's it to be here at Fota Island for the AIB Irish Seniors Open, which starts today?

"To win is my goal, of course it is," said Torrance, "but we'll just have to see what happens."

Torrance knows it won't be an easy task. In Italy, he was forced to fend off Eamonn Darcy down the stretch and the Irishman is again in the field on this fabulous parkland course that played host to the Irish Open in 2001 and 2002.

In fact, Darcy finished tied-sixth in 2002, which is an indication this course is one that suits him and his recent good form, if coming as a little bit of a surprise to him, has heightened his expectations.

"Over the winter I hardly played at all," said Darcy, "so I was a bit surprised when I finished second in Italy. I went out there with no expectations but played really well. My driving was really good . . . I don't really know what to expect here either. I'm just looking forward to it.

"It has been a long winter and it's just nice getting back to some competitive golf. The course is great, they have got it in great shape for this time of year, so I'd expect some good scoring."

With 63,000 on offer to the winner, the Irish Seniors Open - traditionally one of the strongest tournaments on the European Seniors Tour - has attracted a strong, quality field that also includes defending champion Noel Ratcliffe, Gordon J Brand, Jose Rivero, Stewart Ginn, Bernard Gallacher.

Victor Garcia, father of Sergio, also plays and features in the same three-ball as Jimmy Heggarty, who is making his Seniors Tour debut.

Denis O'Sullivan, meanwhile, has delayed a planned surgical procedure on his left knee so that he can play. "My plan is to go out, have a bit of fun and see what happens," said the Corkman.

"To be honest, I shouldn't really be here. I've had a cartilage problem for a while now and really should have had it operated on this week.

"However, I didn't want to miss this tournament, so I have put it off for a few days . . . hopefully I will be back for Wales in two weeks, but we'll just have to wait and see."

The injury has been troubling O'Sullivan, preventing him from getting weight onto his left side on the downswing.

His two outings so far this season, tied-31st in Barbados and tied-33rd in Italy, reflect how the injury has affected him.

"I like the course, I've played it three or four times this year already and like to think I know how to get round. "

But the man they all have to beat is Torrance, who played in the Seniors PGA Championship in America last week (finishing tied-19th) and who hasn't suffered any effects of jetlag.

"I've always enjoyed playing in Ireland," said Torrance, who twice won the Irish Open on the regular tour. "I feel fit and raring to go.

"It has been a good start to the season. It was great to get a win under my belt so early in the season and now I'd like to build on that with a few more solid performances."

Christy O'Connor Jnr had entered the tournament but was forced to withdraw through injury, leaving Darcy, Heggarty and O'Sullivan to spearhead the home challenge.

Heggarty kept his card on The European Tour for 15 consecutive years from 1976 to 1991, and has remained competitive on the Irish PGA region in recent years.