Christy O'Connor Jnr took his second American senior title of the season yesterday when he won the Foremost Insurance Championship over the Egypt Valley course in Ada, Michigan.

The recently crowned British Senior Open champion finished four shots ahead of a group of three - Jim Thorpe, John Jacobs and George Archer - after compiling a second consecutive 68, his third sub 70 round of the tournament.

O'Connor, who entered the day tied with John Bland for the lead at seven-under, separated himself from Bland early as the South African played birdie-free golf and shot a 39 on the front side.

O'Connor was able to distance himself from the field 68 while his two closest competitors entering the day - Bland and Bruce Fleisher - played the course in a combined six-over fashion for the round. One shot clear of fellow senior tour rookie Fleisher overnight, O'Connor's thoughts going into the final round may have been focussed on the threat of Fleisher adding a sixth victory to his 1999 resume.

But the current leader of the senior moneylist was never a factor and could do no better than add a final round 74, to finish seven shots adrift of O'Connor in a tie for sixth spot with Gary Player.

The $150,000 first place cheque takes O'Connor's 1999 earnings in the US to $540,757, beyond his wildest dreams when he made his US senior debut in the PGA senior championship back in April.

Then he was talking hopefully of obtaining a few sponsors exceptions during the year before going on to the senior qualifying school in December to try to obtain a tour card.

"I can't believe it," said O'Connor, once again filled with emotion over a tragic event which occurred on Saturday night. "My great friend Myles Murphy died last night and I have dedicated this win to his memory.

"This means I have had three wins in eight events and it feels really great, apart from the tragic events of Saturday.

"I now go on to Boston next week to play in the Bank of Boston classic. I was tired having played seven straight weeks before this tournament, so maybe that the holiday we had in the Aran islands made all the difference.

O'Connor moves into the top 31 of the money list in 17th, place which qualifies him for the $2 million season ending senior tour championship, and also guarantees him his tour card for next season.