Pádraig still ahead on merit

IN SPITE of a 39th place finish in the Carlsberg Malaysian Open at the weekend, Padraig Harrington remains, by quite a distance, the leading Irishman in the European order of merit.

He has picked up €100,658 from two appearances to date to stand in 15th position. Nearest Irishman is Darren Clarke.

He is in 56th place with €27,248, followed by Peter Lawrie, 61st with €23,667 and Paul McGinley, 64th with €21,498.