With the year's majors done and dusted, the top players on the European Tour will be turning their attention to the Order of Merit standings ahead of this week's Volvo Masters in Spain. The tournament, which starts on Thursday (October 30th) is the last event on this season's schedule and a final opportunity to gain places in the all-important money list. A three-way battle for the Order of Merit crown will be fought by current leader Robert Karlsson (12/1), this year's double major winner Padraig Harrington (10/1) and third place Lee Westwood (16/1), who is still in with a slim chance of nicking the title.
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Harrington knows that if he wins the Volvo Masters, there is nothing Karlsson can do to stop him from bagging a first Order of Merit, but conceded that his Swedish rival is the man in form, having won the Mercedes-Benz Championship and Alfred Dunhill Links Championship recently. He commented: "If I win the tournament, I win the Order of Merit so that's what's in my mind for the week. Robert has played great all year. I think he's been very motivated on working on the right things the last couple of years and really has brought his game to a new level. If he wins on Sunday, he thoroughly deserves it."
Justin Rose (25/1) is defending champion in Valderrama and has fond memories of winning both the tournament and the Order of Merit. The British number two is out of the race this time around but is still eager to defend what was the fourth European Tour title of his career. European Ryder Cup representative Rose said: "It was huge for me to receive the Harry Vardon Trophy. It's a season-long challenge that tests all your skills and demands consistency. Obviously I can't win the Order of Merit this time but the Volvo Masters is a huge tournament to win too." Rose would become the first player to successfully defend the Volvo Masters in the 20-year history of the event. While all eyes will be on the three-way tug-of-war for the Order of Merit, the man to beat in Andalucia is arguably home favourite Sergio Garcia (5/1), who if fresh from his triumph at last week's Castello Masters.
The European number one has taken a tournament on either side of the Atlantic this year and has been in contention at several majors - there will be few who can live with his prodigious talent if Garcia gets going And what about Ian Poulter (16/1)? The attention-courting Englishman grabbed a runner-up place this year at the Open Championship and demonstrated his ability to play under pressure again in the Ryder Cup, finishing as leading scorer on either side with four points. Don't rule out a challenge from fellow Brits Ross Fisher (16/1) and Graeme McDowell (40/1), who have both added to their trophy cabinets this year - European Ryder Cup team members Paul Casey (25/1) or Rory McIlroy (33/1) are also participating. Paul Lawrie, 1999 Open champion, has enjoyed something of a resurgence of late - the Scot is 100/1 to follow-up his second place finish at this month's Portugal Masters with his first European Tour title since 2002.
Posted: Thursday, 30th October 2008
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