While the heart-strings may have urged him to defer a return to the US Seniors Tour in order to play in last weekend's West of Ireland Classic on a course that he designed, the head proved to be wiser. Christy O'Connor Jnr's decision to play in the Foremost Insurance Championship at Egypt Valley Country Club in Michigan reaped handsome dividends. Not alone did he take his second US Seniors Tour title of his "rookie" season, but it also assures him of a place in the elite field for the $2 million end-of-season tour championship at Myrtle Beach in November.
"I'm surprised with how well I've played over here. I would have been happy with a top 15 finish heading into the tournament," said O'Connor.
O'Connor's win in Michigan earned him a cheque for $150,000 and lifted him to 18th place in the US Seniors Tour moneylist with earnings of $540,757.
His latest success also brought him into an elite group of multiple winners on the tour this season, joining Bruce Fleisher, Allen Doyle, Larry Nelson, Hale Irwin and Dave Eichelberger. O'Connor's first win on the circuit came in the State Farm Senior Classic last month when he played on a sponsor's invite. But this latest win secures his tour card for next season.
"Christy's an awful good player," remarked John Jacobs, who tied for second. "They have got a good champion."
O'Connor will attempt to maintain his rich vein of form when he competes in the BankBoston Classic at Nashawtuc Country Club, starting on Thursday, where Hale Irwin defends his title.
Meanwhile, another Irishman with thoughts of making hay in foreign climes is Peter Lawrie. The former Irish amateur champion flew out to China yesterday for a three-week stint on the Asian Tour where he is bidding to consolidate his position. The two-part tour resumes this week and Lawrie is currently in 51st place in the moneylist. The top 60 retain their cards for next season, but there is the added incentive for Lawrie in that a top 15 place would give him exemption from the first stage of the European Tour qualifying school.
