Justin Rose won the European Order of Merit on Sunday following his victory at the season-ending Volvo Masters at Valderrama.

It caps what his coach, Nick Bradley, describes as a "groundbreaking" season for the Englishman where he did not finish less than 12th in any of the season's four majors.

Bradley (pictured second from the right) has had a large part to play in helping Rose to 7th in the world rankings and he will be on hand to answer your questions about Rose's season on Thursday.

And if you have any problems with your own game or about golf in general, Nick will do his best to reply.

Please note because of technical problems in America, Nick will log onto 606 as soon as possible, so keep your questions coming in.

Rich golfers getting richer is the sort of story that should generally be avoided.

“What’s new?” is a familiar reaction, but it has to be admitted the European Tour’s announcement of its latest lucrative deal involves staggering sums of money.

news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/gol...

Thanks to the seemingly bottomless pits of cash to be found in Dubai, from 2009 the Tour’s leading players will be able to compete in the single richest tournament in the world.

Furthermore a bonus pool that matches the tournament’s $10m prize fund means the top 15 earners in the year will hit a jackpot that, even by golf’s gargantuan standards, is well worth winning.

The Order of Merit will become “The Race to Dubai”. Two million dollars will go to the winner of the Race; $1.5m goes to the player finishing second and $1m to the guy finishing third. The money then staggers down to 15th place which is worth $250,000.

If the winner of the Race also claims the season ending Dubai World Championship in the way that Justin Rose took the 2007 Volvo Masters and Order of Merit, he will walk away with $3.66m.

Tour chief executive George O’Grady admitted: “We’ve had to re-focus the European Tour.” And this is the way he wants to compete with America. The PGA Tour, with its $10m four-tournament season-ending FedEx Cup series, has been proving more and more attractive to Europe’s top players.

But the Dubai funded figures dwarf the FedEx Cup cash, which is also paid as an annuity rather than as a single winner’s cheque.

They also breathe new life into the Order of Merit. No more need to go and “fill the wheelbarrow” with appearance money from places like Singapore as Ernie Els, Lee Westwood, Angel Cabrera and Darren Clarke did in preference to playing the Volvo Masters.

Another welcome development is that from 2010 the European season will run from January to November, with a specific off-season. The current nonsense where the next year’s campaign begins the week after the previous one finishes is ridiculous.

As a result of jumping into bed with Dubai, the Tour will almost certainly be waving farewell to one of its more enduring venues.

Next year's Volvo Masters will be the last time this tournament closes a season and while the Tour is keen to hang on to Volvo as sponsors, there are indicators to suggest Valderrama will not want to stage what will be relegated to a regular tour stop, rather than the season finale.

Tradition tends to bite the dust when wallets are opened as widely as they have been with the Dubai deal.

Does it mean Europe’s biggest stars will be more likely to base themselves on their home tour? To a degree, but not massively, and Rose showed why by winning the Order of Merit competing in just 12 tournaments.

Will it attract more top Americans, like Tiger Woods? No. He has shown no interest in taking up European Tour membership and that would be a pre-requisite to make him eligible to compete for these new prizes.

Other Americans may be tempted, but would have to overcome their phobia to crossing their own borders.

For now the Tour can celebrate bolstering their position significantly. The deal with Dubai stretches far further than just the season-ending tournament and Race.

They will open an International Tour Headquarters – but won’t be moving from current Tour HQ at Wentworth – and several course design projects are on the table.

And for the moment, the Tour can boast that it will have the world’s richest tournament. Though, given the way organisations love to throw money at golfers, you have to wonder whether they’ll be able to say the same by the time it is staged.

Baddeley wins Australian Masters

FINAL ROUND LEADERBOARD
-13 A Baddeley (Aus), D Chopra (Swe)*Baddeley wins on fourth play-off hole
-11 S Appleby (Aus)
-10 P O'Malley (Aus)
-9 D Horsey (Eng), P Lonard (Aus), R Pampling (Aus) Selected other:
-6 R McIlroy (NI)

Home favourite Aaron Baddeley claimed his first Australian Masters title after defeating Sweden's Daniel Chopra in a sudden death play-off.

Baddeley sealed the win in Melbourne after recovering from heavy rough for par on the fourth extra hole while Chopra missed a 5ft par putt.

England's Dave Horsey finished on nine under after a final-round 65, four strokes behind Chopra and Baddeley.

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy carded a 73 to end up on six under.


Give your reaction to Baddeley's win

Baddeley and Chopra both finished regulation play on 13-under, with the Aussie world number 18, shooting a closing two-under 70. Overnight leader Chopra finished with a one-under 71.

"In the play-off I felt like I was swinging the club really well," said Baddeley.

"I just kept hitting the same shots and felt that I'd wear him down," Baddeley. "I had the chance to win at every play-off hole, and it was Dan who was saving it to keep it going.

"It really feels great to win at home. It's fantastic."
Compatriot Stuart Appleby, who had led until his final hole, double-bogeyed the 18th for a three-under 69 and dropped to third on 11-under 277.

The Australian Masters is co-sanctioned by the Australasian and European Tours.

Scotland claim World Cup thriller

FINAL ROUND LEADERBOARD
-25 Montgomerie/Warren (Sco) *, Slocum/Weekley (USA)* Scotland win on third play-off hole
-24 Jacquelin/Havret (Fr)
-23 Poulter/Rose (Eng)
-21 Goosen/Immelman (SA) Selected others:
-8 Dodd/Dredge (Wal)
-7 Hoey/Maybin (Irl)

Scotland's Colin Montgomerie and Marc Warren won the World Cup with a play-off victory over the United States at Mission Hills in China.

The Scottish pairing sealed victory when Boo Weekley missed a 15-foot par putt on the third extra hole.

The win made up for the heartbreak of last year when the Scottish pair lost a World Cup play-off against Germany.

"It was fantastic, after missing out last year to come here and win is superb," said Montgomerie.

Interview: Colin Montgomerie and Marc Warren

Scotland were favourites to claim victory in regulation after a final round 66 left them on 25-under-par but the American pairing of Heath Slocum and Weekley, who had led after the opening three days, carded a crucial birdie at the last to force the play off.

We look forward to coming back and trying to defend the trophy
Colin Montgomerie

On the first extra hole, Montgomerie found sand from his tee shot with Warren also firing into a bunker with the second.

Montgomerie chipped to within 10 feet and after Slocum missed a birdie putt that would have sealed victory, Warren held his nerve to keep the tie alive.

Both teams parred the second play-off hole before Weekley failed to sink a tricky putt on the third to hand Scotland a memorable victory.

"There was pressure to come back after a play-off loss," said Montgomerie. "This is superb. We look forward to coming back and trying to defend the trophy.

"We are really proud. Marc was fantastic. He holed some great putts under pressure especially the one in the first hole of the play-off. We were favourites from then on."

Warren, winner of the Johnnie Walker Championship earlier in the year, said Montgomerie was immense in the alternate foursomes format.

"In this format he is the ideal partner," he said. "If you hit a bad shot you can rely on him to hole a putt or hit a good tee shot.

Every time we made a mistake we bounced back brilliantly but the mistakes proved costly
England's Justin Rose

"To have the opportunity to play with a golfer who has been there, seen it and done it all is an honour for me. He is a person I can learn from, I have learnt again this week and I am sure next time I play with him I will learn again.

"He is a great player and a great person to boot, someone I thoroughly enjoy being around - a person who likes to win and really that is what this game is all about."

The American duo of Weekley, ranked 43rd, and Slocum, ranked 70th, only got their chance after their higher-ranked compatriots turned down the opportunity to play and they said they thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

It was a great week," said Weekley. "It is an honour to be able to come over here and represent your country and play.

"We were not even supposed to be here and that is even more of a bonus. We feel disappointed with how we finished but it was a great week."

The French pairing of Raphael Jacquelin and Gregory Havret claimed third place on 24-under-par thanks to a faultless final-round 67 which contained five birdies.

England's Justin Rose and Ian Poulter, who had started the day two shots behind the United States, never really threatened to capture a third World Cup success.

Rose did putt for an eagle on the ninth 9th but two bogeys on the front nine proved damaging as they carded a 67.

"I think we did well to score what we did considering we made some mistakes out there," said Rose.

"Every time we made a mistake we bounced back brilliantly with a birdie or an eagle but the mistakes proved costly."

The Welsh pairing of Stephen Dodd and Bradley Dredge finished tied for 22nd on eight under with Ireland's Gareth Maybin and Michael Hoey finishing one shot further adrift.

Sjoland late show seals Tour card

Patrik Sjoland secured his European Tour card thanks to a wonder-shot in the final round of Qualifying School.
The Swede was one stroke outside the top-30 qualifiers when he reached the par-five seventh, his penultimate hole.

He watched in delight as his seven iron from 137 yards sailed into the cup for an eagle three at San Roque in Spain.

Martin Wiegele, Phillip Golding, Lee Slattery, Marcel Siem and Pedro Linhart were among the players who also sealed their 2007-08 European Tour berths.

Austria's Wiegele took the first prize of £15,000 after a closing 76 gave him an 11-under-par total, and a two-stroke win over Spaniard Linhart and Slattery of Britain.

But the shot of the day belonged to Sjoland, 36, winner of the 1998 Italian Open and 2000 Irish Open.

"I was surprised it went in but it gave me a shot to play with coming home," he said Sjoland after carding a 68. "To do this today is a big relief."

Sjoland bogeyed the eighth before a par at the last made sure he retained his playing privileges for another year.

Just as satisfied was Wiegele who lost his tour card two years ago.

"It is a beautiful feeling," said the 29-year-old. "I won for the first time on the Challenge Tour in Norway this year but it feels even better to win Tour School and regain my card.

Slattery's joint second place was all the sweeter after he missed out on his card by just £55 on the 2006-07 Order of Merit.

"It is such a relief," he said. "I feel I belong on the tour and it is good to bounce straight back."

Derby's Stuart Davis provided the most heart-breaking tale of the last round.

Sitting well inside the qualifying mark on a five-under total after 15 holes, he endured a calamitous bogey, bogey, triple-bogey finish to tumble out of the top 30.

US duo take early World Cup lead

FIRST ROUND LEADERBOARD
-11 Slocum/Weekley (USA)
-10 Cejka/Kaymer (Ger)
-9 Goosen/Immelman (Rsa), Jaidee/Marksaeng (Tha), Dodd/Dredge (Wal), Montgomerie/Warren (Sco), Ilonen/Purhonen (Fin), Poulter/Rose (Eng)
Selected others:
-6 Hoey/Maybin (Irl)
-5 Jimenez/Lara (Spa)
Boo Weekley and Heath Slocum of the USA produced a strong performance on Thanksgiving Day to top the leaderboard after the first round of the World Cup.

Weekley and Slocum took a one-stroke lead with an 11-under 61 in fourballs at Mission Hills in Shenzhen, China.

Defending champions Germany were in second place on 10 under, after Alex Cejka and Martin Kaymer carded 62.

England, Scotland and Wales joined three other teams a shot further back tied for third.

We didn't make any mistakes and didn't make any bogeys - which is obviously what kills you

Justin Rose

Weekley got the United States off to a good start with a birdie on the first, before Slocum putted for an eagle on the par-five third.

They reached the turn at five under before Weekley carded a birdie on the 11th, made an eagle on the par-four 12th and sank two successive birdies from the 16th.

England duo Justin Rose and Ian Poulter made a solid start, Poulter carding two eagles as the two-time winners finished at nine under.

"I think we played steadily," said Rose. "We didn't make too many birdies or too many putts, but we made key putts.

"We didn't make any mistakes and didn't make any bogeys - which is obviously what kills you out there."

If I was home right now, I'd be deer hunting

Boo Weekley

Weekley and Slocum were offered the chance to aim for a 25th US World Cup win in thew absence of more illustrious players like Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.

Weekley's visit to China is only the third time he has left his home country and he admitted to not knowing much about the country apart from "rice" and the Great Wall.

"It's a culture shock for me to come out and see different things because I'm a home boy," he said.

"I like to stay right around the house in the States... If I was home right now, I'd be deer hunting."

606: DEBATE
Can Weekley and Slocum hang on? Have your say

Scotland's Colin Montgomerie and Marc Warren combined for five birdies on the front nine before a combined total of four coming home cemented their place among the clubhouse leaders.

Bradley Dredge and Stephen Dodd also made the ideal start as they look to secure a second World Cup victory in two years - carding an eagle and eight birdies while dropping one shot.

South Africa's Retief Goosen and Trevor Immelman, who have both been successful success in previous versions of the tournament were also in the clubhouse at nine under.

Joining them were the Finnish duo of club professional Pasi Purhonen and Mikko Ilonen, who went nine under to take an early lead.

Ireland's Michael Hoey and Gareth Maybin were three shots behind, after carding a six-under 66.

The World Cup sees teams of two people from each country compete over four rounds of golf.

Creamer stretches Champions lead

R3 LEADERBOARD:US unless stated

-16 P Creamer

-10 P Hurst

-9 J-J Hong (Kor)

-8 A Sorenstam (Swe), B Kim (Kor), S Pettersen (Swe)Selected others:

-3 K Stupples (GB)

+3 C Matthew (GB)

Paula Creamer chipped in for her third birdie at the 18th hole in as many rounds to extend her advantage in the LPGA Tournament of Champions.

The American's four-under par 68 on Saturday left her six shots ahead of compatriot Pat Hurst in Alabama.

Creamer, 21, birdied the fifth, 12th, 15th and last but was not totally happy with her round

"I didn't hit the ball as well as I did the other days. I was pulling some shots here and there," she said.

"But I'm pretty pleased with the way that I played overall.

"It's difficult when you go out there, and you have such a big lead and everyone is gunning for you. You've got to keep that momentum going."

Creamer missed the green with a wedge from 105 yards but chipped in to deny her rivals even a slight falter at the finish.

The tournament record of 21-under par, set by Mexico's world number one Lorena Ochoa of Mexico last year, is within reach for the leader.

"I know I can make a lot of birdies out here," she added. "I want to go as low as I can on Sunday."

Hurst also hit a 68 to move into second, one stroke ahead of South Korean 24-year-old rookie Jin Joo Hong.

She is two ahead of Korea's Birdie Kim, Norway's Suzann Pettersen and Sweden's Annika Sorenstam.

Ochoa also fired a 68 to share ninth on 211 at the event featuring 35 tournament winners from the past four LPGA seasons.

Mickelson triumphs after play-off

FINAL LEADERBOARD:

-10* P Mickelson (US), R Fisher (Eng), L Westwood (Eng)

-9 K Stadler (US)

-8 P Harrington (Ire), V Singh (Fij)

-7 S Webster (Eng)Selected others:Even R Goosen (SA)

+1 E Els (SA)

+6 I Poulter (Eng)

+7 S Garcia (Spa)

* Mickelson wins at 2nd extra hole

Phil Mickelson was taken to a second extra hole in a play-off with English duo Ross Fisher and Lee Westwood before winning the HSBC Champions in Shanghai.

The American dropped four shots in as many holes on the back nine to almost blow his chances, but playing partner Fisher took a seven at the last.

Mickelson's six at the same hole was enough to force the play-off with Westwood, all three on 10-under.

And in near darkness a Mickelson chip and putt for birdie won him the title.

"It feels amazing," said Mickelson. "I don't how it happened, the whole day was a whirlwind.

You have to feel for Ross Fisher, who had the biggest shot of his life when in the greenside rough at the 18th
BBC Sport's Oliver Brett

"I had to fight it out because I had a big lead but then hit some horrible shots. It's a funny game, golf, because I thought I was out of it at the last when I hit the water."

Mickelson had begun the day in pole position, two clear of nearest challenger Fisher.

And after 11 holes he remained on his overnight score of 16-under, well in control of affairs.

But he dropped four shots between the 12th and 15th to open the door for Fisher, whose birdie at the 13th also helped swing things in his favour.

Going down the par five 18th, the Englishman suddenly had a one-shot lead over the world number two and both hit good drives.

Fisher was first to play his second shot, and took the bold option of going for the green.

Taking a wood, he pulled the shot a fraction to finish on the greenside rough, while Mickelson found water.

Looking for all the world a winner, Fisher contrived to hit his next shot past the flag and into water, leaving Mickelson a put for a par and the tournament.

He missed that, before Fisher bravely holed an eight-footer for a seven to join his adversary in the play-off.

It was extraordinary that Westwood had reached the play-off after being 12 shots behind the lead at the turn on Sunday.

But he strung together six birdies on the back nine to roar up the leaderboard.

On the first extra hole, where the players took on the 18th once again, all three had birdie putts to win.

Westwood and Mickelson each missed 20-footers while Fisher had a shorter putt, but from the fringe.

All missed, and they played the hole again.

Westwood quickly dropped out of contention, however, and when Fisher missed a 12-foot birdie putt, Mickelson sunk his from four feet to win.

Paul Casey, playing in the same group as Fisher and Mickelson after starting the day on 11-under, fell away with a horrible 78, 12 shots worse than his immaculate third round.

His demise left Friday's leader Kevin Stadler to secure fourth place on nine-under, with Padraig Harrington and Vijay Singh sharing fifth, a further shot behind.

Nicholas to lead Solheim Cup team

England's Alison Nicholas has been named European Solheim Cup captain in succession to Swede Helen Alfredsson.
The 45-year-old played in the contest six times and has also served as a vice-captain or assistant since then.
An obvious choice for the 2009 contest at Rich Harvest Farms in Illinois, she said: "It's a great honour and I'm delighted. I can't wait.
"We face a big challenge, but I don't believe that anything is impossible. I want to enjoy the whole experience."
Nicholas said she intended to inject the fun factor into the team, to "help them to be the best that they can be."
She continued: "Although the Americans have a young side and are playing well, we've got a good core of experienced players and hopefully in the next two years we'll be able to bring in some youngsters who can give the team a good mix.
"If we prepare well, are mentally strong, believe in ourselves and produce a good team spirit, anything is possible."
Europe have lost the last two Solheim Cups and trail 7-3 in the series.
606: DEBATE
Will Alison Nicholas be an inspired European captain?
But those three wins featured Nicholas as a player twice, and once as Catrin Nilsmark's vice-captain, in 2003.
At just 4ft 10in tall, Nicholas is known as "Big Al". Her proudest moment came in 1997 when she won the US Women's Open, beating Nancy Lopez by one shot.
She was born in Gibraltar, but grew up in Sheffield and has lived in Birmingham since 1988, where she teaches at her own Alison Nicholas Golf Academy.
"I will do a lot of communicating over the next two years to try and get everyone together in order to build the right atmosphere that will allow us to bring the cup back to Europe.
"I think our players are just as good as the Americans and all we need to do is just believe that and go forward," Nicholas added.
Karen Lunn, chairman of the Ladies European Tour and the European Solheim Cup Committee, said Nicholas had all the qualities they were looking for in a captain.
"I am not sure that there is anyone that is as passionate about the Solheim Cup as Ali.
"Alison fully understands the difficulty of the task that lies ahead in going onto US soil to get the Solheim Cup back," she commented.

Rose sets sights on major in 2008

Justin Rose is targeting a major victory in 2008 after securing his first European PGA Tour Order of Merit title at Valderrama on Sunday.
The Englishman, who is up to seventh in the world rankings won a play-off for the Volvo Masters to finish number one.
"I think that's how you're remembered in the game in 20 or 50 years' time," Rose told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"The first port of call is 'he won two majors or three majors'. To me, it's really important to win a major."
Interview: Justin Rose
Rose, who enjoyed some impressive major results in 2007, called it a "lifelong dream" to claim one of the four tournaments that define a golfer's greatness or otherwise.
If Tiger was to have a slip up I'd love to be the guy who's snapping at his heels
Justin RoseHe finished tied for fifth at this year's Masters, 10th at the US Open, 12th at the Open and 12th at the USPGA Championship.
"I've won the Open about 1,000 times on the putting green as a kid. That's what drives me," he added.
"Until winning yesterday, the thing that I took most confidence and comfort from was fact that I played well in the majors this year and got close to winning the Masters.
"That's where I've gained a lot of confidence from this year."
While a major victory is a serious target for Rose, he does not expect to be challenging Tiger Woods for the world number one ranking any time soon.
606: DEBATE
I hope this is the beginning of the peak of his career that I expect to last at least 10 years
super7577
"For me to be world number one I'd probably have to win my next 20 tournaments, he's such a long way ahead," Rose told BBC Radio 4.
"I think number two in the world is certainly a do-able thing but Tiger's really separated himself in terms of the world ranking - he's a long, long way ahead.
"In the short term I don't think that's realistic but certainly if he was to have a slip up I'd love to be the guy who's snapping at his heels."
Rose pipped Ernie Els to the Order of Merit title after the South African opted to play in the Singapore Open instead and has also virtually assured himself a place in Europe's side for the 2008 Ryder Cup.
And Nick Faldo, who will be his skipper at the Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, is happy to have Rose as part of his team.
"He's playing under pressure every week in America and has really come a long, long way this year," said Faldo.
"It won't be long before he gets into the winner's circle in America and then he's going to be a regular contender and a regular winner, I'm sure."
Rose's coach Nick Bradley described the 2007 season as "groundbreaking" and said he could win a major as early as next year.
"What we've done is create a new, better Justin Rose, a Justin Rose that now feels he is equipped to go forward with his career in a very confident manner," he told BBC Sport.
"He's got to be looked at as a major contender by virtue of his performances in the majors this year and the fact that he is European number one.
"Once you jockey in position and you start to build up the profile of major championship winner, then you'd have to say that."

Els determined to make fast start

World number four Ernie Els is hopeful of a strong start when the 2008 European Tour begins with the HSBC Champions event on Thursday.
Els failed to make the cut at the Singapore Open and is looking for an improvement in Shanghai.
"After last week I want to play a lot better, so I'm motivated," he said.
Tiger Woods misses the event for the first time, but Phil Mickelson, Padraig Harrington, Retief Goosen and Vijay Singh are all in an elite 89-man field.
Colin Montgomerie became embroiled in a war of words with 38-year-old Els after suggesting the South African was wrong to play on the Asian Tour instead of playing at last week's Tour final in Valderrama, where he had the chance to secure the Order of Merit.
"I am still very disappointed that we had to events like that head-to-head against each other," Els insisted. "I was caught between a rock and a hard place but I had to honour my commitment."

To compound matters, Els suffered food poisoning in Singapore and struggled to rounds of 72 and 76 and the ignominy of the halfway axe.
"That's the game of golf. I had a weird week with everything that happened in Europe and eating the wrong food meant I had a tough week," he lamented.
"But I am experienced enough. I have had difficult weeks before and I just have to forget about it and go on. I am looking to just concentrate on the golf this week and hopefully do a bit better."
Open champion Harrington was also in contention for the Order of Merit going into the final event, but finished in a share of fourth at Valderrama to end in third place in the money list behind Justin Rose, who is not playing this week, and Els.
There's a keen sense to get off to a good start and get going in the race
Ireland's Padraig Harrington
"I came up short at the very end, but I went into it under the spotlight aiming to perform and get myself in position and, but for a couple of putts, I would have been there or thereabouts," the Irishman commented.
"After coming very close on the Order of Merit, and this week being the first event of the 2008 Order of Merit, there's a keen sense to get off to a good start and get going in the race.
"I'm a little jet-lagged, but I am well motivated for this week. Losing out last week has got me very keen to start well this year. "I feel better than I did towards the end of last summer; I wasn't 100% strong through September, but I feel ready to go now.
"I've played the course the last couple of years and I'm very familiar with it. There's a bit more rough this year, but I think one round in the Pro-Am is enough in the context that I know it from previous years."

Golf rule changes are announced

A number of significant changes to regulations have been announced by golf's rule makers, The Royal and Ancient Golf Club.

Under the new Rules of Golf coming into force next year, the two-shot penalty for "accidental deflection of the ball by the player" has been reduced to one.

Revised rule 12.2 will allow a player to lift a ball in a bunker or water hazard for identification purposes.

The United States Golf Association has also agreed to the changes.

R&A rules secretary David Rickman said the 28 amendments to 34 rules in the 2008 rulebook were being made in an attempt to improve clarity and make penalties more proportionate to the offences.

In matchplay, the reduced penalty for the accidental deflection of the ball by a player, his partner, their caddies or equipment is reduced from the loss of one hole to one shot.

That law most famously caught out Jeff Maggert in the final round of the 2003 Masters when he was penalised two strokes after his bunker shot at the third caught the lip and rebounded back into his chest.

The American ended up with a triple-bogey seven to ruin his victory chances.

Give your reaction to the rule changes

Another change reduces the punishment for carrying, but not using, a non-conforming club from disqualification to a two-stroke penalty per hole with a maximum penalty of four strokes per round.

The R&A is planning to produce four million copies of the new Rules of Golf book in English, which are then distributed to clubs free of charge.

Affiliated golf unions across the globe reproduce them in more than 25 other languages.

"We always aim to make the rules readily accessible to golfers worldwide," said Rickman.

"The simpler, clearer language of the 2008 edition is designed to make them easier for players to use."

Also part of the new rules is a move to speed up play by allowing players to tap in putts while standing on or astride the line.

Action on the distances ball are flying these days has still not been deemed necessary at this stage, with data from the professional game showing that there has been a levelling off in the past few years.

Monty hits out at stars' absence

Colin Montgomerie has criticised Ernie Els and Lee Westwood for missing the European Tour season-ending Volvo Masters at Valderrama.

Els, who leads the Order of Merit, and Westwood have instead opted to play in the Asian Tour in Singapore.

"The Order of Merit meant a lot to me and it obviously does not to others," said Montgomerie, who topped the standings a record eight times.

"This should have been their priority. I would never, ever miss this."

Interview: Colin Montgomerie

He added: "This is our flagship tournament - our Tour Championship if you like - and it's a shame that all the players who qualified aren't here."

The Valderrama event will settle a five-man battle for the Order of Merit with Padraig Harrington, Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson and Niclas Fasth all hoping to overtake Els.

Els and Westwood both criticised the European Tour because of a schedule clash.

European Tour chief executive George O'Grady will air his views at a press conference on Thursday, agreeing to bring forward his usual Sunday session with the media because of the situation.

Els said: "I'd love to play the Masters but if they (European Tour) screw up the dates so be it."

Who will win the Order of Merit?

Westwood added: "The mismanagement on behalf of the tour is disappointing."

The dates for the 2007 Singapore Open were announced in May 2006, several months before the European Tour announced its schedule.

And world number four Els said: "I signed a commitment (to play the Singapore Open) for three years.

"I played my first one last year, this is my middle year and I've got a commitment next year, so don't blame me.

"The European Tour knew that I'd got a three-year contract and I don't make the decision on when the tournament falls so it's one of those things.

"You can't please everybody and especially when two big events like these are being played on the same week. It just doesn't make any sense."

Westwood, although upset to be missing out on the Volvo Masters, said he had never considered pulling out of the Singapore event.

"Once I sign a contract, I plan to stick to my word," the world number 31 said.

"I'd like to have played in both tournaments and hopefully it will be corrected in years to come so I can play in the last couple of events of the European season."

With five players chasing the Harry Vardon trophy for winning the Order of Merit, Valderrama promises to provide an exciting conclusion to the season.

It is a huge bonus that the Order of Merit is even an option at this point and I'd love to make the most of it
Justin Rose

If Open champion Harrington finishes in the top three in Valderrama, he retains the Order of Merit title, while Rose knows he must finish higher than the Irishman to take his first Order of Merit.

A Stenson victory in Spain would win him the Order of Merit title if neither Harrington or Rose is runner-up, while Stenson's fellow Swede Fasth must win and hope that Harrington or Rose do not finish in the top three.

Rose is giving the tournament his fullest attention.

"I'm giving this the same preparation as I did for the majors this year," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"I'm in an exciting situation although it's not one I necessarily expected to be in at the start of the year.

"Winning the Order of Merit wasn't one of my goals as I was only playing in 11 (European Tour) events, but it's proved if you play well in the right ones, you can do it.

"It is a huge bonus that the Order of Merit is even an option at this point and I'd love to make the most of it."

Tour dates clash angers Westwood

Lee Westwood has accused the European Tour of "mismanagement" after missing what promises to be a thrilling finale to the season at Valderrama in Spain.

This week's Volvo Masters will settle the Order of Merit with Ernie Els, Justin Rose, Padraig Harrington, Niclas Fasth and Henrik Stenson in contention.

But Westwood, who is ranked 10th, has committed himself to playing in the Singapore Open on the Asian Tour.

He said: "The mismanagement on behalf of the European Tour is disappointing."

The dates for the 2007 Singapore Open were announced in May 2006, several months before the European Tour announced its schedule.

Who will win the Order of Merit?

And Westwood, although upset to be missing out on the Volvo Masters, said he had never considered pulling out of the Singapore event.

"Once I sign a contract, I plan to stick to my word," the world number 31 said.

"I'd like to have played in both tournaments and hopefully it will be corrected in years to come so I can play in the last couple of events of the European season."

With five players chasing the Harry Vardon trophy for winning the Order of Merit, Valderrama promises to provide an exciting conclusion to the season.

South Africa's Els leads the way, but he cannot affect the outcome as he too is playing in Singapore after refusing to break his contract to play there.

It is a huge bonus that the Order of Merit is even an option at this point and I'd love to make the most of it
Justin Rose

But his decision has opened the door for Harrington, Rose, Fasth and Stenson.

If Open champion Harrington finishes in the top three, he retains the title, while Rose knows he must finish higher than the Irishman inside the top 50 to take his first Order of Merit.

Sweden's Stenson knows that victory in Spain wins him the title if Harrington or Rose are not runners-up, while compatriot Fasth must win and hope that Harrington or Rose do not finish in the top three.

Rose is giving the tournament his fullest attention.

"I'm giving this the same preparation as I did for the majors this year," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"I'm in an exciting situation although it's not one I necessarily expected to be in at the start of the year.

"Winning the Order of Merit wasn't one of my goals as I was only playing in 11 (European Tour) events, but it's proved if you play well in the right ones, you can do it.

"It is a huge bonus that the Order of Merit is even an option at this point and I'd love to make the most of it."

Davies second after late charge

Britain's Laura Davies finished second at the LPGA Thailand tournament in Pattaya following a late charge.

She fired a superb seven-under-par 65 to whittle away Suzann Pettersen's seven-stroke lead but the Norwegian made an eagle at the last to triumph.

Davies' round included six birdies and an eagle at the first and she was tied with Pettersen, who made four bogeys in her round of 71, on the final fairway.

The Briton birdied the 18th to end with a final total of 267 and 20 under par.

"She made a great shot on the last and that was it," said the 44-year-old Davies about the last-hole drama.

"It was all about that one shot. She hit the shot and I slightly pushed my six-iron. I had a really good putt, I thought I had made it, but I didn't make it."

American Paula Creamer came third at the Siam Country Club after a six-under-par 66 in the fourth round, which took her total to 270.

Rachel Hetherington of Australia crept up the leaderboard on the last day by matching Davies' 65 to claim fourth, while former world number one Annika Sorenstam was sixth on 275.

Bourdy registers maiden tour win

FINAL LEADERBOARD:(GB & Ire unless stated)

-12 G Bourdy (Fr)

-10 Sm Little

-9 R-J Derksen (Ned)

-7 A Forsyth

-6 J Edfors (Swe); Pt LawrieSelected others

-4 T Bjorn (Den)

-3 S Garcia (Sp)

Frenchman Gregory Bourdy held off the challenge of England's Sam Little to win the Mallorca Classic with a three-under-par final round 67 at Pula.

The 25-year-old produced a bogey-free round to finish two strokes clear with a 12-under total of 268.

Little's hopes of victory faded when he three-putted for a bogey at 15, but four birdies also earned him a 67 and secured his tour card for 2008.

Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen (70) took third place on nine-under.

And Derksen, who had shared the lead with Bourdy after three rounds, was followed home on seven-under by Scotland's Alastair Forsyth, who sank six birdies in an excellent 66.

There was disappointment for Spanish fans, however, as Sergio Garcia struggled to a 73 and finished in a tie for 16th place on three-under.

A total of 24 players were within six shots of the lead at the start of the final round, but it was Bourdy, from Bordeaux, who established a clear advantage with three birdies in six holes around the turn.

His only anxious moment thereafter came at the 16th where he pulled his tee-shot into the rough and only just cleared the water in front of the green with his approach.

Bourdy duly collected his par and later struck a magnificent tee-shot at the 203-yard last, but could not quite round things off in style as his putt for a birdie two lipped out.

He knocked in a two-footer for par, however, and was drenched in champagne by compatriots Thomas Levet and Christian Cevaer before collecting his trophy and a £238,000 cheque.

"This is fantastic to get my first win. I started off nervously and got lucky on the first three holes to make par but after that my game was much better.

"I thought my second shot on the 16th was in the water, I was a bit lucky there, but I'm delighted to win and qualify for the Volvo Masters. I knew I needed to finish in the top three and I made it," Bourdy said afterwards.

The outcome was just as sweet for Little, who began the tournament 136th on the Order of Merit but moved up 60 places with his best-ever result, bettering his fifth place at the Madeira Island Open four years ago.
"It was my great escape, but playing like I have this week, showed me I was good enough not to have to struggle like I have," the 32-year-old Londoner said.

Fellow Briton Richard Finch, another player under threat at the start of the week, also did enough with a 72 for joint seventh place which lifted him from 124th to 110th on the list, with only the top 117 keeping cards for next year.

Storm in contention in Mallorca

FIRST-ROUND LEADERBOARD:(GB & Ire unless stated)

-4 G Murphy, A McLardy (SA), R Finch (6)

-3 J Backstrom (Swe), J Hepworth, G Storm, L Calverie (Spa) (9), E Canonica (Ita) (8), N Fasth (Swe) (7), S Little (3)Selected others

-2 S Garcia (Spa), A Forsyth

+2 MA Jimenez (Spa) (7)

England's Graeme Storm shot a 67 to lie a shot off the lead in a rain-curtailed first round of the Mallorca Classic.

The clubhouse lead, at four under, was shared by South Africa's Andrew McLardy and Ireland's Gary Murphy, before thunder forced an early abandonment.

It means 60 players will have to resume their first round on Friday morning.

Pre-tournament favourite Sergio Garcia is not one of them, though, after he fired three bogeys and five birdies to finish his round on two-under-par 68.

It was the Spaniard's first event in five weeks, and the world number 10 admitted: "I felt rusty on the front nine and struggled with a couple of tee shots, getting too narrow with my back swing.

"I started to hit some good shots on the back nine, though, and it's the kind of course I like.

I've played far too many events this year and I'm running on empty.
Graeme Storm

"Nobody shoots 18 under to win and the winning total always stays between five or 10 under (Niclas Fasth won on five under last year)."

Storm currently lies 16th on the Order of Merit and needs to move into the top 15 to book his place in the US Open next year, while remaining inside the top 20 will guarantee entry into the Open at Royal Birkdale.

But he said: "I've played far too many events this year and I'm running on empty. I've already looked at the schedule for next year and think I'll play 25 or 27 maximum, to play any more would be stupid.

Meanwhile, Hull's Richard Finch started brilliantly to be four under after the first six holes of his round before being forced off the course.

Elsewhere, former Ryder Cup player Andrew Coltart lay a shot behind Garcia on 69 as he bids to improve his Order of Merit ranking from 169th and secure full playing privileges for 2008.

Only the top 118 on the Order of Merit on Sunday evening will hold onto their cards next season.

Pair lead in storm-hit Mallorca

SECOND ROUND LEADERBOARD:(GB & Ire unless stated)

-9 R-J Derksen (Ned), J-F Lucquin (Fra)

-6 Pe Lawrie (Ire), M Vibe-Hastrup (Nor)Selected others

-5 S Little, A Forsyth (after 7)

-4 G Storm (9)

-3 S Garcia (Spa, 9)

Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen and Jean-Francois Lucquin of France emerged at the top of the leaderboard on the second day at the Mallorca Classic.

The pair finished their storm-hit first rounds on Friday before building a three-shot lead at nine under.

Ireland's Peter Lawrie and Dane Mads Vibe-Hastrup were six under, while Spain's Sergio Garcia was three under after 27 holes.

Half the field must return on Saturday to complete their second rounds.
The 33-year-old Derksen, lying 42nd on the money-list, added a 65 to his opening 66 but despite three-putting twice he was happy to have come through a gruelling day.

"We used to play 36 holes as amateurs with no problem but it seems when you get to the pro level it's a lot harder," he said Derksen.

"It would be nice to get close to a top-20 spot (this week) because a lot goes with it including (a place in) the British Open."

While Derksen is assured of a spot in next week's season-ending Volvo Masters at Valderrama, the 88th-placed Lucquin needs to finish in the top two here to qualify in the top 60.

The 28-year-old Frenchman said his rounds of 66 and 65 were down to a new coach.

"One and a half months ago I changed my coach to Richard Gillot, who used to play with me on the Challenge Tour and is my son's godfather," he said.

"He knows my game and last week in Portugal everything started to take shape. I finished with a 64 there and felt I could carry it on to this week."

Iain Carter's column

Nick Faldo’s style of captaincy threatens to shatter the mould set by previous European Ryder Cup skippers.Faldo is speaking his mind ahead of next September’s clash with the US at Valhalla in Kentucky.
Previous incumbents have tended to wait until after matches before telling us their innermost thoughts on the team they’ve led.
But the former world number one has already let it be known that he wasn’t overly impressed with one of his potential team members, Colin Montgomerie, when he took charge of the Great Britain and Ireland team in the Seve Trophy.
“He was the only one whose emotions I had to deal with,” Faldo told the Times.
“He only came to two of the five team meetings, so that was disappointing.
“Then he had to be teased out on to the 18th green to support his team. The bottom line was that he hadn’t won a point.
”It is very unusual for a European Ryder Cup captain to make public such feelings about a player who may well be in his side, let alone one who has become a legend in the biennial transatlantic matches.
We are still eleven months from the next contest so we are far enough away for these comments not to have too damaging an effect.
Furthermore there is a world of difference between the Seve Trophy and the Ryder Cup and no one has ever doubted Montgomerie’s commitment to the European cause when the US provide the opposition.
But Faldo has to be careful. Unity and team spirit have become the 13th man for Europe through their recent years of dominance.Equally Montgomerie should want to stay in Faldo’s good books because on current form he may need a captain’s pick to be able to play in a ninth Ryder Cup.
This controversy follows hot on the heels of Paul McGinley’s resignation as Faldo’s vice captain.
This was also contentious because the Irishman was overlooked by the captain for a Seve Trophy selection.Faldo is renowned for speaking his mind.
If he continues to do so, the build up to next year’s match could prove the most intriguing we have ever seen.
Great for us reporters, but at what cost to the team?

Vancsik retains lead in Portugal

THIRD ROUND LEADERBOARD:(GB & Ire unless stated)

-18 D Vancsik (Arg)

-17 St Webster, C Schwartzel (SA)

-16 R Fisher, R Karlsson (Swe) Selected others

-15 L Westwood

-11 J Rose

-10 R Goosen (SA)

-9 S Hansen (Den), N Dougherty, B Dredge

-4 R McIlroy

-1 M-A Jimenez (Sp)

Daniel Vancsik ended the third round of a European Tour event in the lead for the second week running after a third round 68 at the Portugal Masters.

The Argentine is 18 under par - one shot ahead of England's Steve Webster and South Africa's Charl Schwartzel.

Vancsik had a mixed round with an outward half of 36 but four birdies in the back nine.

Justin Rose improved his chances of winning the Order of Merit as a 66 put him joint 18th on 11 under.

He needs to finish in the top two on Sunday to go top of the list with just one event remaining this season.

Rose has suffered blisters on his feet and back trouble this week and said: "It's been a funny week, and I feel like I'm falling apart. But I'm just getting on with business - and I think 66 is the worst I could have shot.

I'd like the fairways to have been a lot tighter and the rough a lot thicker
Lee Westwood

"I felt like it could have been 10 better, but it's a step in the right direction. My back was okay until the 14th, and then it started really hurting me.

"But I'm trying not to think about it and I'm looking forward to the end of the year more than anything else."

Schwartzel, like Vancsik hunting his second win of the year, eagled the 17th for a 66 while Webster shot a 67.

Lee Westwood also carded a 67 and is in a group of three players three shots off the lead, but after his round said he was not happy with the course.

"I'd like the fairways to have been a lot tighter and the rough a lot thicker," he said.

"It's possible round here. The more times we play this venue, it held the World Cup two years ago, the more the Tour will learn how to set it up so it's demanding."

Northern Ireland teenager Rory McIlroy suffered a triple-bogey 73 on the last to end the day three under par and joint 68th in the remaining field of 73 players.

Webster snatches Portugal Masters

FINAL LEADERBOARD:(GB & Ire unless stated)

-25 St Webster

-23 R Karlsson (Swe)

-20 D Vancsik (Arg)

-19 L Westwood; S Hansen (Den) Selected others

-17 S Walker, R Fisher

-15 B Dredge

England's Steve Webster won the Portugal Masters with the European Tour's best winning final round of the season, a 64 in Vilamoura.

One behind Daniel Vancsik overnight, Webster went to the turn in four under, then sank an eagle putt on the 12th.

Swede Robert Karlsson was two shots behind, Vancsik finished third and Lee Westwood joint fourth.

Webster's only previous European Tour victory in over a decade as a pro was the Italian Open two years ago.

He claimed the first prize of nearly £350,000 with a 25-under-par total that was the lowest of the season then, remembering the death of his mother earlier this year, collapsed in tears.

I was thinking about my mum all the time and it was so hard to keep my mind on the golf

Steve Webster
After being congratulated by his father Terry, Webster said his victory was an emotion-packed affair.

"I lost my mum in the early part of the season and it really knocked me about," he told reporters. "I didn't think I'd even keep my card because it was tough.

"But I had a great result at Loch Lomond (Scottish Open in July) and that seemed to help me turn the corner, I became more positive.

"It was so hard out there, especially coming down the stretch, because I was thinking about my mum all the time and it was so hard to keep my mind on the golf. But I knew she was looking down on me."

Meanwhile, Justin Rose's 21st place was not good enough for him to overtake Irishman Padraig Harrington in second place on Europe's money-list.

With top man Ernie Els not playing in the season-closing Volvo Masters the week after next, that event could see a straight fight between the two for the order of merit.

"I'm looking forward to going to Valderrama now because I prefer it when courses are tougher," Rose said.

"My goal is to win the Volvo Masters and then I'll win the order of merit, so it's a double-whammy.

Best of season puts Kaymer on top

FINAL ROUND LEADERBOARD:(GB & Ire unless stated)

-11 M Kaymer (Ger)

-8 M Erlandsson (Swe), D Vancsik (Arg)

-7 G Bourdy (Fr), R Goosen (SA), L WestwoodSelected others

-6 N Dougherty, S Walker, S Webster

-4 B Dredge

-3 J Rose, P McGinley

-1 R McIlroy

Martin Kaymer shot 61 - the joint-best round of the season - to take the lead after day one of the Portugal Masters.

The German fired 11 birdies to clip two shots off the course record and stand three shots ahead of Argentine Daniel Vancsik and Sweden's Martin Erlandsson.

Britain's Lee Westwood, Gregory Bourdy of France and South African Retief Goosen shared third on seven under.

Justin Rose, trying to move to the top of Europe's money-list, carded a 69 while Rory McIlroy was on one under.

The 18-year-old from Northern Ireland went into the event still hoping to become the youngest-ever winner on the European Tour.

But that looks unlikely after an astonishing opening round from 22-year-old Kaymer, who is also in his first season on the tour.

He shared the lead going into the final round of the Wales Open in June and was also in front playing the last hole of the Scandinavian Masters in Stockholm in August.

After finishing with five successive birdies for a closing 29 - one outside the tour record, Kaymer said: "I've been waiting for this day for a couple of weeks. My putting has been so-so, but every putt went in this time."

Vancsik, winner of the Madeira Islands Open in March, also had a near-miss at last week's Madrid Open.

He led in Spain for the first three rounds before wrecking his victory chances with a nine at the fifth hole on the last day.

Erlandsson is trying to better his career best of runner-up in the 2005 Wales Open and moved up to second place with four birdies in five holes to the turn.

Rose was happy to be able to play after suffering a recurrence of back trouble last weekend.

Vancsik takes control in Portugal

SECOND ROUND LEADERBOARD:(GB & Ire unless stated)

-14 D Vancsik (Arg)

-12 M Erlandsson (Swe), R Fisher, A Quiros (Sp), S Webster

-11 M Kaymer (Ger), C Schwartzel (SA)Selected others

-10 L Westwood

-7 R Goosen (SA), S Hansen (Nor)

-5 J Rose, N Dougherty

-4 R McIlroy, M-A Jimenez (Sp), B Dredge

Argentina's Daniel Vancsik added a second round of 66 to his opening 64 to take the lead at the Portugal Masters.

England's Ross Fisher and Steve Webster, Swede Martin Erlandsson and Spaniard Alvaro Quiros share second place, two shots off the pace.

Quiros is playing in only his second event after five months out following wrist surgery.

Overnight leader Martin Kaymer of Germany could only manage a 72 and dropped to a share of sixth.

Kaymer had shot a new course record of 61 in Friday's opening round.

Vancsik won the Madeira Islands Open in March and was leading the Madrid Open on Sunday until he had a nine on the fifth hole of the final round.

The 30-year-old, who has had 16 birdies in his opening two rounds said: "This course is good for my game. The driver is my best club and I can fly all the bunkers."

Lee Westwood birdied the last two holes to climb to 10 under, four behind Vancsik while Justin Rose's hopes of climbing to the top of the European Order of Merit faded with a bogey six at the 17th which dropped him to five under, nine off the pace.

Ulster teenager Rory McIlroy made it four cuts out of four as a professional, but this time with only one shot to spare but Ryder Cup trio David Howell, Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley all missed the cut.

Euro Tour to hit India and Korea

The European Tour will include tournaments in India and Korea for the first time in 2008 following the release of the Tour schedule.

Players will also get a chance to play on the 2010 Ryder Cup course at the Celtic Manor Wales Open.

The ninth staging of the tournament in Newport is one of a minimum of 50 Order of Merit events in the 2008 season.

Most tournaments retain their 2007 week but the Singapore Masters and Maybank Malaysian Open have swapped dates.

The EMAAR-MGF Indian Masters will be played at the Delhi Golf Club from 7-10 February and the Johnnie Walker Classic will be staged at the DLF Golf and Country Club, New Delhi, from 28 February to 2 March.

The European Tour undertakes its first venture into Korea with the playing of the Ballantine's Championship at Pinx Golf Club, Jeju Island, from 13-16 March.

European Tour 2008 schedule (beginning Nov 2007):
2007Nov

8-11 HSBC Champions, Shanghai, China

15-18 UBS Hong Kong Open

22-25 MasterCard Masters, Melbourne, Australia

Nov 29-Dec 2 New Zealand Open, Queenstown

Dec 6-9 Alfred Dunhill Championship, South Africa

13-16 SA Airways Open, South Africa

2008Jan 17-20 Abu Dhabi Golf Championship

24-27 Qatar Masters, Doha

Jan 31-Feb 3 Dubai Desert Classic

7-10 Indian Masters

14-17 Singapore Masters

20-24 WGC Match Play, Tucson, Arizona

21-24 Indonesia Open, TBA

Feb 28-Mar 2 Johnnie Walker Classic, New Delhi
March

6-9 Maybank Malaysian Open, TBA

13-16 Ballantine Championship, Jeju Island

20-23 WGC-CA Championship, Florida

20-23 Madeira Island Open, Portugal

27-30 Open de Andalucia, TBA

April 3-6 Open de Portugal, EstorilApril

10-13 The Masters, Augusta National

17-20 China Open, Beijing

24-27 Asian Open, Shanghai

May 1-4 Open de Espana, SevilleM

8-11 Italian Open, Milan

15-18 Irish Open, Limerick

22-25 BMW Championship, Wentworth, Surrey

May 29-June 1 Celtic Manor Wales Open, Newport

June 5-8 BA-CA Golf Open, Vienna

12-15 US Open, California

12-15 St Omer Open, France

19-22 BMW International Open, Germany

26-29 Open de France, Paris

July 3-6 European Open, TBA

10-13 Scottish Open, Loch Lomond

17-20 137th Open Championship, Royal Birkdale

26-29 Players' Championship of Europe, Hamburg

July 31-Aug 3 WGC Invitational, Ohio

August 7-10 USPGA Championship, Tulsa, Oklahoma

4-17 Scandinavian Masters, Stockholm, Sweden

21-24 KLM Open, Holland

28-31 Johnnie Walker Championship, Gleneagles

Sept 4-7 European Masters, Switzerland

11-14 Mercedes-Benz Championship, Cologne

19-21 Ryder Cup, Valhalla GC

25-28 British Masters, The Belfry

Oct 2-5 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, Scotland

9-12 World Match Play Championship, Wentworth

16-19 Portugal Masters, Vilamoura

23-26 Mallorca Masters, Majorca

Oct 30-Nov 2 Volvo Masters, Valderrama

Nov 27-30 Omega Mission Hills World Cup, China

Teenager McIlroy fourth in Madrid

Rory McIlroy finished joint-fourth and five shots off winner Mads Vibe-Hastrup after a closing 70 in the Madrid Open.

The 18-year-old from Northern Ireland was hoping to become the youngest winner in European Tour history in only his third event as a professional.

McIlroy started the final round four behind Argentina's Daniel Vancsik.
But he could not match the surge from Dane Vibe-Hastrup as five bogeys undermined an eagle and five birdies and he finished on 11 under par.

English trio Ben Barham, Sam Little and Sam Walker were seventh on eight under.

But it was another eye-catching display from McIlroy which provided one of the main highlights.

I think I've done very well after all that has gone on over the last few weeks

Rory McIlroy
He only turned professional after the Walker Cup last month but finished 42nd on his tour debut in the British Masters and third in the Dunhill Links Championship last Sunday - a performance which all but secured his card for next season.

McIlroy can still become the youngest winner when he moves on to the Portugal Masters.

"I would have taken fourth when I came here. I think I've done very well after all that has gone on over the last few weeks and I hope to follow it on next week," he said.

"I am playing very well at the moment, I am hitting it really well. If I could get a couple more putts to drop it would make the difference."

Vibe-Hastrup, meanwhile, claimed his first European Tour title with a near-flawless final round, carding six birdies and just one bogey in his 67 to claim the £103,000 first prize and two-year tour exemption.

Spain's Alejandro Canizares was three behind while Vancsik, who led for the first three rounds, was a further stroke adrift in third.

Vancsik's challenge was badly hit on the fifth when he tangled with heavy rough to take a quintuple-bogey nine.

And Vibe-Hastrup, two behind him overnight, took a firm hold with three birdies in four holes from the eighth.

Canizares stayed in touch with him until he missed a short putt to bogey the short 17th, shortly after Vibe-Hastrup produced a fine approach to three feet to birdie the 16th and effectively end the contest.

European Open needs new sponsor

The European Open has lost its sponsor and there now will be doubts whether the event will stay at an Irish venue.

The event has been staged at the K Club in Kildare for every year since 1995.

However, it was announced on Monday that the Smurfit Kappa Group had ended its backing of the tournament with "immediate effect".

The K Club hosted last year's Ryder Cup but only four members of the victorious European team played in this season's European Open at the venue.

What next for the European Open?

Smurfit Kappa chief executive Gary McGann said his company had enjoyed "a very successful relationship with The European Tour over the last 13 years".

"Last year The K Club also hosted what most commentators regard as the most successful ever staging of The Ryder Cup.

"SKG's decision is based on the increasingly international scale of our business and the inability of a brand such as ours to obtain full value from the sponsorship."

Colin Montgomerie won the title in July, but Padraig Harrington, Paul McGinley and David Howell were his only 2006 cup team-mates who also returned to the venue.

George O'Grady, chief executive of the European Tour, said that he was "indebted" to the support of the Smurfit Kappa Group over the past 13 years.

"The success of the Championship is a tribute to the vision of Dr Michael Smurfit, who has done so much for the European Open Golf

Championship, for golf in Ireland, and for the Ryder Cup.

"The European Open is a key fixture on the European Tour, offering as it does a much coveted opportunity for business, and negotiations are already advanced re its future."

Next year's tournament will take place on 3-6 July although the venue has yet to be confirmed.

The European Open was first played in 1978 at Walton Heath and has also been hosted by East Sussex National, Royal Liverpool, Sunningdale and Turnberry.

Mexican Ochoa retains world crown

Defending champion Lorena Ochoa cruised to her seventh LPGA title of the year with a four-shot victory at the women's World Championship in California.

The Mexican world number one shared the lead with Norway's Suzann Pettersen at the start of the final round.

Ochoa broke clear with two birdies in the first three holes and fired a six-under-par 66 to finish on 18 under.

South Korea's Kim Mi-hyun birdied the last two to secure second with a 69 but Pettersen finished fifth on 12 under.

"I have been trying to get my seventh victory of this year but it has been tough the last two weeks," said Ochoa.

"This week has been great and I am very proud and happy with this trophy."

Ochoa hit every green in regulation on the front nine to reach the turn three under par.

She set up further birdies at the 10th and 14th before rolling in a 15-footer from the edge of the green at the 15th to surge four clear.

Although the world number one bogeyed the par-three 16th after missing her only green of the day, she immediately recovered with the seventh birdie of her round at the 17th.

Pettersen stayed in touch with birdies at the seventh and eighth before losing ground around the turn.

American teenager Michelle Wie ended a frustrating week with a six-birdie 71, which lifted her one place off the bottom of the leaderboard in the elite field of 20.

Final leaderboard:
-18 Lorena Ochoa (Mex)

-14 Mi Hyun Kim (Skor)

-13 Angela Park (Brz), Jeong Jang (Skor)

-12 Suzann Pettersen (Nor)

-10 Jee Young Lee (SKor), Paula Creamer (USA)

-9 Stacy Prammanasudh (USA)

-7 Angela Stanford (USA)

-6 Sarah Lee (SKor), Seon Hwa Lee (SKor), Se Ri Pak (Skor)

-5 Morgan Pressel (USA)

-4 Cristie Kerr (USA)

-2 Maria Hjorth (Swe)

+2 Nicole Castrale (USA)

+3 Brittany Lincicome (USA)

+5 Ai Miyazato (Jpn)

+18 Michelle Wie (USA)

+19 Bettina Hauert (Ger)

Els wins seventh Match Play title

Ernie Els claimed the World Match Play title for the seventh time with a 6&4 drubbing of Argentina's Angel Cabrera in the final at Wentworth.

The South African's victory earned him £1m in prize money and he is now top of the European Order of Merit.

Cabrera bogeyed the 1st hole and was quickly four down, but did birdie the 24th and 27th to cut the gap to two.

Els then two-putted the 30th for another winning birdie and a par on the next put him five up with five to play.

Report: Els wins seventh match play title
Interview: Ernie Els

Padraig Harrington and Justin Rose, now second and third in the Order of Merit, still have tournaments to come whereas Els does not.

"I wish I could move Wentworth around the world with me," said Els, whose previous six Match Play triumphs was already a record.

Your reaction to Els' seventh Match Play triumph

"It's absolutely a dream come true. In my wildest dreams, I would not have dreamt I could win it seven times.

"I didn't strike my drives as well as the previous couple of days, but my putter stayed hot."

Els led by three at the halfway stage, but there was a worrying period in the morning when he had problems with his back.

He recovered and a 12-foot putt saved him his par at the 21st, while Cabrera failed to get up and down after pushing his approach.

The South American knew he had to step up his game - and did with four birdies in the next six holes.

But Els promptly sank a 15-footer at the 28th and worked his magic again on the 30th, before Cabrera's fate was sealed when he bogeyed the following hole.

Cabrera picked up a sizeable runners-up cheque for £400,000.
He said: "2007 has been a great year for me. Winning the US Open has changed my life.

"I congratulate Ernie - he is a great champion - but I hope Argentina beat South Africa in the rugby tonight in Paris and have better luck than I did."

BBC Sport keeps Masters contract

BBC Sport has retained the broadcasting rights to The Masters and secured a new three-year extension up to and including 2010.

The agreement provides live television, radio and additional online rights.
"The deal marks a significant milestone in the relationship between the BBC and The Masters," said BBC Director of Sport Roger Mosey.

"We are proud of our history together, and this allows us to continue to develop the relationship."

SPORT EDITORS' BLOG
A total of 10.2m people tuned in to the TV coverage in 2007
BBC Director of Sport Roger Mosey

The tournament held at Augusta has been screened by the BBC since 1986.

Mosey added: "The deal guarantees free-to-air coverage of a truly great tournament to the UK public."

Cabrera downs Casey at Wentworth

Defending champion Paul Casey crashed out of the HSBC World Match Play after a 4&3 loss to Argentine Angel Cabrera.

The 30-year-old Englishman trailed by one after the first 18 holes and US Open champion Cabrera stretched ahead with five birdies in the afternoon.

Six-time winner Ernie Els beat Argentine Andres Romero by 6&5.
Swede Henrik Stenson downed Anders Hansen 7&6 despite the Dane's hole-in-one at the 28th hole, while Hunter Mahan beat Soren Hansen by

Report: Champion Casey crashes out
Replay: Hansen's hole-in-one at Wentworth
Interview: Ernie Els

The 37-year-old Cabrera, who won the PGA Championship at Wentworth in 2005, will take on American Mahan in the semi-final.

"I lipped out too many putts," said Casey. "But he played fine golf and was always going to be tough to beat.

"He didn't give me anything, but that's the way it goes and I really hope he goes on and wins it now."

Els was four up after the first round and reached as much as seven up after the 10th against Romero, who finished third in the Open at Carnoustie.

The South African will play Accenture Match Play champion Stenson in the second semi-final.

"I played well when I needed to," Els said. "But he didn't have his best day. I was fortunate to be four up at lunch and my short game definitely saved me. But all in all, I've got to be happy with the way things have gone."

Stenson added: "It will be a tough weekend, playing Ernie, the six times winner who re-designed the course - he even lives here. Are there any more advantages we can give him?"

Stenson and Romero began the day by finishing off their held-over first-round matches, with Stenson beating American Woody Austin on the 18th and Romero downing Swede Niclas Fasth 3&2.

Els or Stenson could go top of the European Order of Merit this weekend following the exits of leading pair Padraig Harrington and Justin Rose on the opening day.

Rose and Poulter team up for Cup

Justin Rose and Ian Poulter are to pair up for England in November's World Cup team event in China.
Rose was second with Paul Casey behind South Africa at Kiawah Island in 2004, while Poulter's previous appearance was in 2001 in Japan.
Wales' 2005 winners, Stephen Dodd and Bradley Dredge, are reunited in a bid to regain the trophy.
And Scots Colin Montgomerie and Marc Warren attempt to go one better than 2006 when they lost out to Germany.
After a thrilling play-off last year Monty and Warren were beaten by Bernhard Langer and Marcel Siem at a rain-soaked Sandy Lane course in Barbados.
Ireland secured a place after Michael Hoey and Gareth Maybin finished second in qualifying in Aruba last weekend.
Open champion Padraig Harrington turned down a chance to play in the event while Paul McGinley, Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke opted not to play in the qualifiers.
The $5m tournament takes place at the Mission Hills Club, in Shenzhen, from 22-25 November.
South Africa's two-time US Open champion Reteif Goosen will be partnered by Trevor Immelman while Canada's 2003 Masters winner Mike Weir will link up with little-known Wes Heffernan.
Spain will be represented by Mission Hills course designer Jose Maria Olazabal, who has already selected his close friend, Miguel Angel Jimenez.
The host nation will be represented by veteran Zhang Liang-wei, the first Chinese golfer to win on the European Tour, and Liang Wen-chong, the most recent player from China to win in Europe.
Arron Oberholser and Sean O'Hair take up the United States challenge.
The World Cup will be held in China every year until 2018 but has lost its six-year association with the World Golf Championships.
Pairings: World Cup, Shenzhen from 22-25 November.
Argentina: Andres Romero & Ricardo GonzalezAustralia: Nick O'Hern & Nathan Green Austria: Markus Brier & Claude GrenierCanada: Mike Weir & Wes HeffernanChina: Liang Wen-chong & Zhang Lian-weiColombia: Gustavo Mendoza & Jorge BenedettiDenmark: Anders Hansen & Soren HansenEngland: Justin Rose & Ian PoulterFrance: Raphael Jacquelin & Gregory HavretFinland: Mikko Ilonen & Pasi PurhonenGermany: Martin Kaymer & Alex CejkaIndia: Jyoti Randhawa & Gaurev GheiIreland: Michael Hoey & Gareth Maybin Italy: Edoardo Molinari & Francesco Molinari Japan: Hideto Tanihara & Tetsuji HiratsukaKorea: Lee Seung-ho & Lee Sung Netherlands: Robert-Jan Derksen & Maarten Lafeber New Zealand: Richard Lee & Stephen Scahill Paraguay: Carlos Franco & Fabrizio Zanotti Philippines Tony Lascuna & Gerald Rosales Puerto Rico: Wilfredo Morales, Miguel Suarez Scotland: Colin Montgomerie & Marc WarrenSouth Africa: Retief Goosen & Trevor ImmelmanSpain: Jose Maria Olazábal & Miguel Angel JimenezSweden: Robert Karlsson & Peter HansonThailand: Thongchai Jaidee & Prayad Marksaeng USA: Arron Oberholser & Sean O'HairWales: Stephen Dodd & Bradley Dredge

Montgomerie eyes role under Faldo

Colin Montgomerie says he would consider being vice-captain for the European team in next year's Ryder Cup.

Captain Nick Faldo is looking to replace Paul McGinley, who quit the role last week.

Montgomerie said: "I'd be delighted to help the cause in any way. As a playing vice-captain? Could be."

But the Scot questioned Faldo's approach to the appointment, telling BBC 5live that the decision should be made a month before the event.

Interview: Colin Montgomerie

He explained: "The best vice-captain position we've ever had was when Bernhard Langer selected Thomas Bjorn a month before the 2004 event when Thomas unfortunately failed to qualify for the team.

Send in your thoughts

"I would have a look at who hasn't qualified and any experienced Ryder Cup players I would take with me at that stage - a month before the event.
"The vice-captains, to be honest, are just names at this stage. There's nothing much going on right now. That's what I would do but of course Nick's a different animal."

Montgomerie, who is an eight times winner of the European Order of Merit, has been tipped as the European captain for the 2010 event at Celtic Manor.

The 44-year-old Scotsman is an obvious candidate, having won 23½ points in his eight matches - a record bettered only by Faldo himself.
Faldo captained a Great Britain and Ireland team containing Montgomerie to a 16½-11½ against Continental Europe in the recent Seve Trophy in Ireland.

"He was as I expected Nick to be," said Montgomerie. "He had everything worked out."

Dougherty secures Dunhill victory

FINAL ROUND LEADERBOARD

:-18 N Dougherty (GB)

-16 J Rose (GB)

-15 R McIlroy (NI)

-14 B Lane (GB), Pa Lawrie (GB)

Selected others:

-13 E Els (SA)

-12 P Harrington (Ire)

-11 P Casey (GB)

Englishman Nick Dougherty captured his second European title, securing the Dunhill Links Championship with a two-stroke victory at St Andrews.

The 25-year-old began the final day with a three-shot lead but soon saw that slip away with opening bogeys.

But he posted three successive birdies to card a 71 and finish on 18 under, two shots ahead of Justin Rose.

Irish teenager Rory McIlroy earned his Tour card in only his second pro event by securing third place after a 68.

Nick Dougherty's links tips

Ernie Els tied for sixth on 13 under with compatriot Trevor Immelman but was left to rue a calamitous triple bogey seven at the 16th.

This is the win I've been after for two years and I'm very proud of myself
Nick Dougherty

The South African putted into a bunker from just off the back of the green and took four more to get down, a three-putt culminating in a miss from two feet.

Els had moved level with Dougherty but the Englishman never lost his lead.

Rose's challenge faded when he bogeyed the legendary 17th, the Road Hole, and Dougherty was also able to take five there without jeopardising his control of the event.

"This is a life-changing win for me but I felt very nervous at the start of the day," admitted Dougherty, who jumps to the top of the European Ryder Cup points table.

"I've been in this position before and it's not gone right but I spoke to my fitness coach, Ron Cuthbert, before going out and he told me to use the nerves as a positive thing.

"He said if I wasn't nervous it would be a bad thing and he told me to enjoy these moments. He was a real help.

"I got off to a pretty bad start but I trusted myself and my ability. I had some big players, like Ernie and Justin, chasing me but I got the job done. This is the win I've been after for two years and I'm very proud of myself."

I knew at the start of the week I needed to do something pretty special to get my Tour card and I am absolutely ecstatic
Rory McIlroy

The impressively assured McIlroy became the youngest player to clinch his card.

"I knew at the start of the week I needed to do something pretty special to get my tour card and I am absolutely ecstatic," the 18-year-old said.

McIlroy showed admirable resilience after driving out of bounds at the 14th and running up a double bogey, finishing with three birdies in the closing four holes.

"When I talked about my chances of making the card this week to Lee Westwood he told me I could win the tournament," he said.

"When someone like Lee tells you that it gives you a lot of confidence. Hopefully this is a huge step for bigger and better things."

Open champion Padraig Harrington finished in a share of eighth at 12 under to retain his lead in the European Tour Order of Merit standings.

Proper Golf Setup - The Stance

A square setup will encourage a square impact. A square stance means the feet are parallel to the target line. Imagine railroad tracks. Your feet are touching one rail and the ball is on the other rail.

A closed stance will encourage an inside-to-outside swing path, causing a draw. An open stance may encourage an outside-to-inside swing path by giving your arms and shoulders more freedom.

Position the ball a couple of inches inside the left heel for most shots. A consistent position helps develop a repeatable swing. Playing the ball too far forward in your stance tends to open the shoulders encouraging an outside-to-inside swing, often causing a slice.

Purpose

1. To reduce the problems caused by a poor setup. Many swing faults occur from an improper setup. This can cause unnecessary adjustments during the swing. Taking care to position the ball, feet, hips and shoulders properly ensures building a good swing foundation. Testing has shown golfers with open stances show no more tendency to slice than golfers with closed stances. The open stance may give the golfers a little more opportunity to slice, because it allows a little more freedom in the downswing and follow-though. The square stance is used by most successful golfers. Beginners should start with a square stance. As you advance, you can experiment with the advantages of other stances. Avoid extreme stances. Experiment to find the stance that works best for you. Take care to set up consistently on all normal shots.
2. To start with a proven ball position. Moving a golf ball even two inches forward or back in your stance can make a great deal of difference in shot consistency. Start with the ball a couple of inches inside the left heel. After you master this consistent ball position, you can experiment with other ball positions. However, a ball too far to the front of your stance will increase the chances of a slice by encouraging an outside-to-inside swing. A ball too far back in the stance will make it difficult to get the clubface closed by impact and may cause a push or a push slice.
3. To achieve the goal of hitting the ball at the bottom of the swing arc. Your drives should be hit slightly on the upswing, iron shots are struck slightly on the downswing. Fairway woods are hit at the bottom of the swing arc.