Paul Casey could be just three rounds away from taking over from David Howell at the top of the European Order of Merit.

Colin Montgomerie is in a straight two-way fight with Michael Campbell as he bids for a record eighth European Order of Merit title after Retief Goosen’s decision not to enter next week’s Volvo Masters.

Ernie Els has closed the gap at the top of the European Order of Merit after his win in the BMW Asion Open.

Stephen Dodd paid a heavy price for one shot in his third round of the Volvo China Open in Shanghai today – but at the end of it the 38-year-old Welshman was still on course for his first European Tour victory.

Irishman Paul McGinley's joint-sixth place in the USPGA Championship in Whistling Straits has put him in the 10th spot for a Ryder Cup place. He moves up to 16th in the European Order of Merit.

Jean-Francois Remesy has jumped to fourth in the European Order of Merit after his French Open win at the weekend.

The HSBC World Match Play Championship at Wentworth, which offers golf’s biggest first prize of £1m (€1.5m), will be expanded from 12 to 16 players this October and will count towards the European Order of Merit.

European Order of Merit

European Order of Merit after BMW Asian Open

Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood, fourth and fifth on this year’s European Order of Merit, both pulled out on the final day of the Telefonica Madrid Open.

Volvo European Order of Merit as of Dunhill Championship:

Retief Goosen won the Johnnie Walker Classic in Perth by a massive eight shots today to go back to the top of the European Order of Merit he won last year.