Champions Tour News round-up: As he gets older, it seems, golfing life simply gets better. Having started the season with a low category on the Champions Tour in the US, Des Smyth's renaissance is gathering such pace that he is already in danger of making 2005 the greatest season of a career that has entered its fourth decade as a touring professional.
On Sunday, Smyth took his second win of the season on the Champions Tour by winning the Legends of Golf in Savannah, Georgia, by two shots over Tom Jenkins, despite winds gusting up to 30mph.
"I have to say I suppose I had some small advantage," said Smyth, adding: "This type of day back home is fairly regular for us."
Smyth, two shots off the lead entering the final round, shot a one-under-par 71 for a 54-hole total of eight-under 208. He was the only player under par in the final round. "This was a strong wind, even for back home. I wouldn't play on a day like this, unless it was in a golf tournament," he admitted.
Still, it was another marvellous win for Smyth who had earned his place in the elite field by winning the SBC Classic last month. In winning his second Champions Tour event in his last three starts, Smyth joined money leader Hale Irwin as the only other multiple winner on the circuit this year.
His first-prize cheque for $382,000 was the largest of Smyth's tournament career, which started in 1974 and saw him win 19 times worldwide - including the Dunhill Cup in 1988 - before setting out to conquer the US as a senior. He became the first non-American winner of the Legends of Golf since Harold Henning of South Africa in 1993.
It is turning into a remarkable season for Smyth, who had such a poor tour card after a disappointing season last year that he decided to return to tour school in a vain bid to improve his status.
However, his win in the SBC earned him a much higher exempt status, and the 52-year-old has reaffirmed that form with an even better win. Smyth will seek to extend his tournament form when he plays in this week's FedEx Kinko's Classic at The Hills in Austin, Texas.
A further incentive for Smyth this season is the Charles Schwab performance-related table which will earn $1 million for whomever tops the table at the end of the official season. Smyth is second, behind Irwin, in the standings and has taken his season's winnings in the States to $684,506 from five tournaments.
Smyth's form is also good news for the AIB Irish Seniors Open, in association with Greenstar and Fáilte Ireland, which takes place at the Heritage in Killenard, Co Laois, in June. Smyth's success in the US has allowed him to include a debut appearance in that event into his schedule.
"I'm certainly looking forward to playing in it for the first time. I've always wanted to play but until now my commitments in America have prevented me from doing so," he said.
1 Hale Irwin $759,706
2 Des Smyth $684,506
3 Wayne Levi $571,001
4 Mark McNulty $499,689
5 Dana Quigley $492,247
6 Tom Jenkins $383,772
