Some surprises in European Tour career list top 40

AS another European Tour season gets under way, it is interesting to note the exemption categories that comprise the tournament fields each week.

Most are fairly obvious, others not so apparent, especially category nine which caters for the top 40 on the career money list at the end of the 2002 season. They come in

before the Challenge Tour qualifiers and the list makes fascinating reading.

It includes, for instance, Ireland’s Ronan Rafferty, whose presence in several events last year probably surprised those fully aware he hasn’t figured anyway prominently on tour since 1995.

However, between 1982 and 95, the Downman accumulated the bulk of the €3,110,339 to put him into 37th place for career earnings.

More surprising, is the fact Severiano Ballesteros is no better than 17th, in spite of all he achieved through the late 70s, the 80s and much of the 90s. He has €5,322,373 and has been overtaken by the likes of Darren Clarke, third with €10,044,039, and Padraig Harrington, ninth on €7,865,732.

Colin Montgomerie is in front with €15,511,995 followed by Bernhard Langer on €10,979,067.

The top 10 is completed by Clarke, Ernie Els (€8,861,722); Retief Goosen (€8,792,476); Ian Woosnam (€8,577,221); Jose-Maria Olazabal (€8,213,195); Lee Westwood (€7,993,280); Harrington and Nick Faldo (€7,068,788).

These amounts only refer to money won in approved events on the European Tour.