TOMMY HORTON envisages a bright future for the AIB Irish Seniors Open, the most recent addition to the expanding European Seniors Tour.

Indeed, Horton, the inaugural winner of the event staged at St Margaret's, enthused: "I'm glad I made the decision to stay in Europe, rather than head to the United States. The European Seniors Tour is now growing at an equally fast rate as the American Tour at a similar stage, and quality events like the Irish Open can only help its image.

"I'm glad to hear too that the field will be increased to 88 players next year. That's good news, and it can only help the Tour to grow. I feel players on our Tour are more like entertainers, we're able to smile more and give a little back; we don't have the same pressures as young men on the regular tour."