A MITE predictable, perhaps. Tommy Horton, the dominant figure on the circuit, emerged as the inaugural winner of the AIB Irish Seniors Open which concluded at St Margaret's Golf and Country Club yesterday. But the way he fashioned his latest success was not in the least predictable; the dapper Englishman required three birdies in the last four holes to leapfrog over Noel Ratcliffe to secure the title.

Heavy overnight rain conspired to leave the seagulls playing merrily in copious mini-lakes of casual water around the course and, consequently, the players were allowed placing in yesterday's final round. Such matters didn't unduly deter Horton, however, and he produced a final round 68 for a 54-hole aggregate of eight-under-par 208, two strokes clear of Australian Ratcliffe, with Malcolm Gregson third on 212.

Horton, who spent almost three decades competing on the full Tour, has boosted his pension funds considerably since joining the senior ranks. Not only has he won the opening two events of the new season - adding the Irish to the Turkish title won a week ago - but he has now claimed 13 Seniors' championships since 1992 and brought his earnings in that period to almost £370,000.

Such dominance has surprised even Horton. "I know I have worked exceptionally hard for the past three or four years. I take care of myself and keep fit with flexibility exercises, especially concerning my neck and shoulders. But I can't really explain why I am dominating so much. I keep waiting for someone else to take over," he said.

For a considerable time, it looked as if Ratcliffe, albeit only temporarily, would halt his gallop. The Australian started the final round two shots clear, but once again he struggled on the greens and failed to shake off his most persistent pursuer. "I putted like an idiot for the past two rounds," lamented Ratcliffe. "I had 36 putts today, 70 in all for the weekend. I even missed short ones I would normally get blindfolded.

"Tommy is a really great competitor, but I should have been so far in front, really, that he shouldn't have been able to catch me. Still, this tournament has given me renewed confidence for the rest of the season," said Ratcliffe.

Horton's play over the closing four holes was exemplary. He had just bogeyed the 14th to fall a shot behind Ratcliffe when he marched to the par three 15th hole. A sweetly-struck seven-iron to the 165 yards hole finished 14 feel from the flag and, using his broomhandle putter to deadly effect, he sank the birdie putt to regain parity.

Then, on the 16th hole, he played what he deemed was his "best shot of the tournament". Faced with 245 yards to the green - and 252 yards to the pin - Horton reached for his three wood and left the ball 25 feet away. A two-putt birdie later, he had secured the lead in the championship for the first time.

And eminently sensible play of the long 17th hole effectively secured him the title. "I knew couldn't reach the green in two," confirmed Horton, who opted to lay-up and then chipped to five feet for his third successive birdie.

Unfortunately, the Irish challengers failed to make a significant impression. Liam Higgins shot a final round 73 for 219, claiming the distinction of leading Irishman in 13th place. But Mick Murphy had a 74 for 223, Christy O'Connor Snr had 76 for 230 and Arthur Spring finished with a 79 for 236.

Donie Butler, the event director, confirmed afterwards that next year's tournament will be increased considerably with a field of 88 players (double the restricted 44 who played in the inaugural event) and an increased prize fund of "six figures".