What a finale to the season with the leading money winners in Europe – both men and women, and on the LPGA Tour in America all to be decided on the final counting event of the season!

Padraigh Harrington won his first ever European Order of Merit title with a storming end to the season, literally

overtaking Paul Casey with his fine second place finish in the season ending soggy Volvo Masters at Valderama. Paul Casey very nearly didn’t start the week at all, as he had severe food poisoning on the eve of the tournament. Paul somehow managed to play in round one, although the spectators were treated to more than just seeing him play golf when on the twelth tee he was literally given a injection in his bottom to help him finish the round. Heavy rain and food poisoning that affected a number of the players put a bit of a dampner on the Volvo Masters, but no one will begrudge the popular and always genial Harrington his first Order of Merit title.

Padraigh is at the top of the list with Tiger as far as always giving 100% no matter what position he’s in, and indeed almost seems more dangerous when he’s struggling with his game, than when he’s striking the ball well! To me he is the most consistent of the Irish trio, including Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley, who played in The Ryder Cup. It will be inetresting to see if his winning The European Order of Merit gives him the confidence to keep moving up the World rankings and go on to claim his first major Championship?

In America and worldwide Tiger Woods was back to his very best, with his controlled display of golf in winning The Men’s Open at Royal Liverpool being arguably one of the most clinical in modern day golf. Whether or not the public is getting fed up with his dominance of men’s golf, whenever he plays, we are all watching history in the making, and in my opinion, the best ever male golfer in the world!

In Europe, Laura Davies’s consistent form saw her deservedly claim another Order of Merit title. Everyone was happy when Laura once again got back into the winner’s circle with her fine win in the Norwegian Ladies Championship. Congratulations must also go to France’s Gwladys Nocera whose challenge for The Order of Merit went to the the very last tournament of the year, and who recorded three wins in her most successful season to date.

With the addition of some new tournaments, as well as a new sponsor for the Order of Merit in New Star, the Ladies European Tour seems to be entering a period of stability at last. If that is the case, credit must go to Alex Armas, the Executive Director of the Tour, and the Board of Directors. Just eighteen months ago, the LET

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was in turmoil, and outwardly it look as if the Tour was heading to implode. Today, they are announcing new events, and the future, like the title sponsor of the Order of Merit – New Star, is shining brightly indeed.

In the USA, Annika Sorenstam was dislodged at the top of the ADT Money List by Mexico’s Lorena Ochoa. With the U.S. Women’s Open title as well as three other LPGA wins to her credit, not to mention wins in her native Sweden, Dubai and with Lotta Neumann winning

The Women’s World Cup in Soth Africa, Annika had another successful season by anyone’s standards. Lorena Ochoa for many years has been the players top tip to overtake Annika on the money list, and in 2006, those predictions proved correct. Lorena had an amazing year, winning six times, resulting in over two and a half million dollars in prize money, her lowest stroke avaerage ever, thereby winning The Vare Trophy, not to mention the Rolex Player of the Year trophy.Once again, Lorena had more birdies than anyone else, and pretty much topped all of the meaningful statistics categories. The only thing missing for Lorena was bagging her first Major title, which she narrowly missed out on when she lost The Kraft Nabisco Championship in a play-off to Australia’s Karrie Webb. Karrie without doubt would hve won the comeback of the year award had there been one. Not only did she add another Major taking her tally to seven, but she took two other titles, her consistency taking her to number two in The Order of Merit just behind Lorena Ochoa and ahead of Annika.

Next year is looking like being another intriging one for golf fans – will Tiger Woods dominate mens golf as he’s done this year, will he get closer to Jack Nicklaus’s record number of Major victories, how will Lorena Ochoa follow on from her outstanding season, will she win a Major, what lies ahead for Annika, and will Laura Davies carry on where she left off and get into her ninth consecutive Solheim Cup Team? I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait for it all to start!