IN THIS upside down world we live in, it seems entirely fitting the PGA European Tour – which, despite its actual name, is very much a global tour – should come down to the final tournament in Dubai, some five time zones from its headquarters in Wentworth, on the outskirts of London, to decide the number one player where two major champions, Martin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell, hold the strongest hands.
Two into one doesn’t go, and Kaymer and McDowell – Ryder Cup team-mates just six weeks ago – will head into this week’s duel in the desert knowing already magnificent seasons await further embellishment.
McDowell’s top-five finish in Hong Kong behind Ian Poulter, who has jumped three positions to 11th in the latest world rankings, has enabled him to close the gap at the top on Kaymer to just €290,911.
Given the guts of €1 million separated them just over a month ago, the momentum is very much with the Ulsterman and, now playing in his fifth tournament in as many weeks, the US Open champion has moved on from Hong Kong to the UAE knowing he must again contend strongly and aim to win the tournament and let the money matters sort themselves out.
G-Mac is one of a strong Irish hand in the desert, where he is joined by Rory McIlroy – who was in a similar position to McDowell this time last year only to lose out to current world number one Lee Westwood in the final showdown – as well as Pádraig Harrington, Darren Clarke, Damien McGrane, Gareth Maybin and Peter Lawrie.
Apart from competing in this season’s tour finale, Clarke will be one of those aware the Order of Merit final rankings determine other matters.
For instance, the top-15 get into next year’s US Open at Congressional and the top-30 into next year’s British Open in Sandwich. Clarke is 31st in the money list, so has at least one of those objectives in mind.
Meanwhile, Poulter’s career 10th win on the European Tour won’t deter him from continuing to base himself on the US Tour.
Although the European Tour has increased the number of mandatory events for playing rights from 12 to 13 for 2011, Poulter will continue to hold cards on both tours and will also continue to be based in Orlando with his family.
“I live in Orlando, so the family is schooled there, I have three children, two of which school in the States,” he said, claiming his situation is entirely different from that of McIlroy who has decided not to take up his US Tour card.
Poulter explained: “Rory lives in Ireland. His family is in Ireland. So therefore for him, I guess it’s difficult to see being over that side of the pond.
“For him, it’s an easy decision, and for me, I’m happy playing golf where I am. I’m very happy playing both tours, playing The European Tour and the US PGA Tour.”
Poulter now heads to this week’s Dubai World Championship brimming with confidence.
With the battle for the world number one spot now wide open after years of being dominated by Tiger Woods, Poulter is looking to climb as high as he can up the rankings; starting with victory this week in Dubai.
“I think I’ll just try winning the Dubai World Championship and see how high I can go,” he added.
“Tiger (Woods) has dropped a lot of points. Westwood is world number one, and if I keep playing well, then who knows – I could get up there.”
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