Christy O'Connor Jnr heads back to the US today with the promise of help from Brian Barnes in his attempt at making a breakthrough on the Seniors` Tour there. In fact the Galwayman is entering into a loose, business arrangement with Barnes's manager, Ed Smith.

"The money's so good in the States that Christy would have to be an idiot not to chase it," said Barnes yesterday. "My belief is that he has the game and the personality to make a real go of it and I'll do everything I can to help him."

Barnes, who was tied second in the AIB Irish Seniors Open at Mount Juliet last Sunday, played with O'Connor in the Ryder Cup at Laurel Valley in 1975. That was the occasion when the big Scot gained the distinction of beating Jack Nicklaus morning and afternoon when two sets of singles were played on the third day.

Since joining senior ranks four years ago, Barnes has captured the Senior British Open in 1995 and 1996 and the Canada Senior Open Championship last year, all of which has helped him to amass more than $1.5 million in prize money. "We don't see ourselves as God's chosen few," he said. "We talk to the crowd and are aware of the importance of our amateur partners in pro-ams." Without the amateurs, we'd be picking up dustbins."

He went on: "Christy's a friend and I'm sure my manager can point him in the right direction." O'Connor responded: "It's nice to know that Brian's looking out for me. I certainly appreciate everything he's trying to do."

The top-10 in the European Seniors' Order of Merit after last Sunday's tournament are: 1 Tommy Horton (Eng) Stg£31,951; 2 John Morgan (Eng) £27,940; 3 Alan Tapie (US) £22,234; 4 Noel Ratcliffe (Aus) £17,997; 5 Ray Carrasco (US) £16,560; 6 Brian Barnes (Scot) £14,795; 7 Eddie Polland (Ire) £12,112; 8 Bernard Gallacher (Scot) £10,819; 9 Craig Defoy (Wal) £9,966; 10 Jim Rhodes (Eng) £9,183.