It is not only in terms of prizemoney that the European Seniors Tour has a long way to go to catch up with its American equivalent.

Spectator interest here will surely pick up when the Ballesteros-Faldo-Langer generation turn 50, but at the other side of the Atlantic the US Senior Open at Des Moines GC in July is already sold out with an attendance of 30,000 expected for each of the three practice days as well as the four tournament days.