It's not quite a case of move over Tom Watson. But Waterville have come close to matching Kerry rivals Ballybunion in the choice of a Millennium captain. Payne Stewart, the current US Open champion, was named yesterday as Waterville's first ever honorary captain for the year 2000.

"Payne has many supporters in Ireland, having competed in the 1991 Irish Open and the 1998 European Open," said Jay Connolly, managing director of the Kerry club. "On recent visits to Waterville, he has won the hearts of our small village and by way of thanks, this is the highest honour we can bestow."