It's quiet, so eerily quiet, in the foothills outside of Jerez. Most years, the Formula One cars are zooming and screeching on the test circuit that lies next door to the golf course at Montecastillo, and the smell of burning rubber is heavy in the air; but, this year, the cars have been left in cold storage in the garage.

As for the golf, something isn't quite right, everything appears just a little too cosy.

Normally, players face into the season-ending Volvo Masters just one unexpected deed away from being reduced to nervous wrecks. This time round - with the sun shining and the course pristine - everyone is nice and relaxed and one step away from playing happy families. There doesn't appear to be a hint of anxiety from anyone.

All of which is unquestionably due to Retief Goosen's position at the head of the Order of Merit. The king awaits to be crowned, and no one can stop the coronation. Yet, there is much to intrigue in this traditional farewell to the 2001 European Tour season.

Goosen will wish to finish off a season that has exceeded all his own expectations in style; Pierre Fulke, for one, will want to show that his win a year ago was no fluke; Darren Clarke wants to get back to his summer form, and Padraig Harrington, after seven second-place finishes this year, desperately wants a win.

Goosen, the US Open champion, is happy to be back on Spanish soil. Two weeks ago, he won the Madrid Open - his third win of the season - to wrap up the race for the Vardon Trophy and, if it's possible, this most laid-back of individuals is even more relaxed than usual.

"I'd like to win this week," he said, almost in a matter-of-fact way, the voice of a player of supreme confidence, "because then I would become the first player to go through the £2 million mark (on the European Tour). That's my goal for the week, to win this week, and round it off properly."

Next week "The Goose" will partner Ernie Els in the World Cup in Japan, then on to Hawaii for the Grand Slam tournament and the following week he will return to South Africa for the Sun City challenge. While at home, he will be given the freedom of Pietersburg.

"The Mayor wants to hand me over a document, or a key, so it is all turning out to be an unbelievable year," said Goosen. "Next year is going to be hard to emulate it, that's for sure."

If Goosen is on a high, then it is easy to understand why. However, he won't get - and doesn't expect - everything to be handed to him on a plate this week.

With €539,074 (£333,330 sterling ) to the winner, it is a major payday for whoever should come out tops. "It's our final event of the year, and it is a great event - everyone wants to win," said Goosen, who has been paired with Harrington for the opening round.

It's an elite field, just 66 players, and a year ago Fulke got off to a flying start - sharing the lead on the first day - and then produced what was deemed to be the shot of the year, a five-wood to the 70th green where he holed the resultant eagle putt to fend off Clarke's challenge.

"I got a bit technical with my swing during the season which didn't work out. My game is improving and, if I can get a good start and feel nice and relaxed, then this could be another good week."

The draw hasn't been kind to the three Irishmen. An early-morning draw in the first round is the preferred tee-time, as the wind generally picks up substantially in the afternoon. As it is, Paul McGinley (12.41 p.m., local time, 11.41 a.m. Irish) is the first out, followed by Clarke four groups later and Harrington a further two back.

McGinley is coming into the event after a two-week break and spent a considerable amount of time on the range yesterday afternoon attempting to regain some sharpness.

"I'm looking forward to the tournament, though. The course is lovely. I've been coming here for five years, and this is the best condition it has been in," he said.

For Harrington, his week's holiday - in the south of Spain - last week didn't curtail his golf. He took the opportunity to play Valderrama, San Roque and La Zagaleta and heads into the event in expectant mood.

"The rough seems heavier than I remember it, especially around the greens," said Harrington.