After 51 weeks of fiercely competitive tournament golf on five continents, the identity of The European Tour Order of Merit winner still remains a mystery. That fact is remarkable in itself, but even more so that the race for The European Tour Order of Merit will come down to 18 holes of golf on the final day of the 2006 season at the Volvo Masters – with all four contenders still gunning for the Harry Vardon Trophy.
Only current Number One Paul Casey, at six over par, appears to have no prospect of lifting the Volvo Masters title at Valderrama. Padraig Harrington, David Howell and Robert Karlsson most certainly do, as all three lie in a group of 18 players within four shots of 54-hole leader, Jeev Milkha Singh of India.
Singh, already the proud owner of a Volvo title this season after capturing the Volvo China Open, fired a controlled three under par 68 at blustery Valderrama to lead on 210, three under par.
Sweden’s Johan Edfors (69), Sergio Garcia of Spain (70), Henrik Stenson of Sweden (73) and England’s Lee Westwood (72) are all tied for second on 211, just ahead of the Order of Merit challengers. Harrington, lying behind Casey on the Order of Merit, is one over par on 214 while Howell (third) and Karlsson (fourth) will play together on the last day on level par 213.
All in all, it presents a fascinating final act of the season-long play. It is too close to call – both the tournament and the Vardon Trophy race – and anything can, and probably will, happen over Valderrama’s treacherous fairways and greens.
It could conceivably be the most exciting end-of-season tussle since Colin Montgomerie edged out Sam Torrance in 1995 with a three foot par putt on the final green of the final event.
Casey, who sits atop the money list, is just about still favourite in a share of 32nd place, after Howell and Harrington made strong runs for the lead, only to drop back over the back nine.
"I thought I would move up a bit more. I didn't think it was easy and I was happy with that” said Casey after a level par 71. "I've not really crunched numbers, but I know I can maybe make Padraig finish second rather than third.
"Unfortunately the tournament is lost. There's nothing I can do about that. The first two days when I was ill pretty much killed off my chances of being in contention.
"There's nothing I can do about it. Whatever happens happens. It would certainly be disappointing but I don't think it would be a crushing disappointment. If it does not happen I have plenty more chances. But I certainly want the Order of Merit before I hang up the clubs."
Howell, in danger of missing the tournament with a shoulder injury, threatened to tear the course apart when he birdied five holes in a row from the third. But, like many before and after him, he discovered that the smallest error is punished heavily at Valderrama.
He said: "It's exciting and I'm looking forward to it. I've given myself a chance and I definitely would have taken that Thursday morning. Golf is such a game of momentum. I was in a nice little zone early on, but then came the three-putt. Classic error, momentum lost.
After being five under through seven it was obviously disappointing only to score 70.”
Harrington, who stood over an eight foot putt for birdie at the 16th and came off with a bogey, said: "Obviously I've got a difficult day ahead of me. The 16th was probably the big miss. It really knocked me back. Four behind is not the end of the world, but I've put a lot of people between me and the lead and you've got to think somebody is going to shoot a decent score.
"It's not insurmountable, but when I was coasting along winning was a lot easier prospect than it is now."
Singh, making his debut in the event, seemed to disprove the theory that players need to learn how to plot a course round the Costa del Sol’s gem. "I've seen the course on television so many times and hopefully I can keep going for one more day. If it happens, good. If it doesn't I've got another week."
