Des Smyth looked back proudly on his nerve-racking US Senior Tour School win but warned – Let’s not get carried away.

Smyth rammed home an eight-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole to beat Japan’s Seiji Ebihara by a shot at the Champions Tour’s National Qualifying Tournament in Florida.

“It was a nerve-racking day overall," he said. "I can't remember being that nervous for such a long period, and I'm glad it’s over.”

His one under par 71 on the Rolling Oaks course at World Woods Golf Club helped him come back from four strokes behind Ebihara and take

The Drogheda man is looking forward to the chance of making big money on a tour where the fairways appear to be paved with gold for the truly talented. But he is cautious.

Despite picking up $42,000 for winning the qualifying, Smyth is not getting carried away with the possibility of becoming a multi millionaire on a tour that offers massive rewards.

He said: “I’m not making any big plans. I have always believed in setting realistic goals and there is no point it getting carried away with dreams. “

Tom Watson, who missed the cut in this year’s British Open at Muirfield where Smyth finished 28th, made over $1.5 million dollars from just 14 events this season.

Hale Irwin topped the money list with over $ 3 million, bringing his career winnings to a massive $16 million since he turned 50 seven years ago.

And Ireland’s Christy O’Connor Jnr has won over $1.2 million since he hit the Seniors in 1999.

Smyth shot rounds of 67, 68, 69 and 71 for a 13 under par total that gives him the key to the magic kingdom for Senior golfers.

“This week was tension-packed, but I played extremely well," Smyth said. "I’m glad it’s over, and I look forward to playing the Champions Tour next year.

“But I’ve been a professional for almost 30 years and I’ve always tried to keep my feet on the ground.

“I've been planning this for the last two years, building up my confidence with a good British Open last year and another good one at Muirfield.

“I set myself a standard whereby I was never under any real pressure this week. Winning was a bonus. The objective was purely to qualify.”

The top eight players earned fully exempt status for 2003 with Pat McDonald leading the list of players who earning conditional status next year.

But there was disappointment for Eamonn Darcy as he missed a place in the top eight by a single stroke and was then beaten in a play-off when McDonald made a par on the first tie hole to clinch ninth spot.

But as the 10th qualifier he should get into 18 or 20 tournaments next year.

Smyth has no huge dreams but he will spend the next three weeks on holiday in the West Indies before working out the early part of his schedule for next year.

He won’t be eligible to play until he turns 50 on February 12, giving him plenty of time to decide what to do.

He explained: "My plan is to get involved as soon as I can, but I have no clear picture as to how I'm going to do it. I want to study the schedule and plan the year.”

He has yet to decide if he will set up a base in the US, however his wife Vicki won't be making a Transatlantic move.

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© Brian Keogh 2002

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