There are nine Irish and British professionals in the field for the US Seniors PGA Championship which starts today at PGA National Golf Club in Palm Beach, Florida.
Christy O'Connor Jnr, who reached the magic age last year, is one of them, but he is unsure how he will fare against the cream of America's over-50 brigade, who this season will compete for more than $40 million in prize money.
This week there is $1,750,000 in the pot with $315,000 going to the winner and O'Connor is conscious of the opportunities that these figures present.
"Sure, this is the place to play and it will be lovely to get in the next two events after this for which I have been given invitations. . . at the end of this season I will be coming back out here to the qualifying school without a doubt," he said. Eddie Polland and David Jones make up the Irish contingent in Palm Beach this week, Scott Barnard Gallacher makes his senior debut, while local resident Tony Jacklin is also playing.
Brian Barnes and John Morgan, regulars on the US senior tour, European Senior Order of Merit winner Tommy Horton and former club professional Jim Rhodes complete the transatlantic line-up.
