Els will have a rethink on Volvo Masters if Clarke wins in Spain

ERNIE ELS yesterday revealed he could play in the Volvo Masters after all to clinch the European Order of Merit title – if Darren Clarke wins the Madrid Open next week.

Last place at Valderrama would be enough to give Els the money list crown and he said: "I'm going to see what Darren does and then decide. I'm not committing to anything at the moment."

The South African was one shot away from clinching the title at the American Express world championship in Atlanta two weeks ago, but even though he is nearly £570,000 ahead of Clarke the Ulsterman could have pipped him by a mere £270 by winning the last two counting events.

That, however, was assuming Els stuck to his original plan and stayed away from both events. Now he is having a rethink.

Meanwhile, defending champion Els spoke up for the HSBC World Match Play Championship on the eve of his attempt to equal a long-standing record at Wentworth.

Els will join compatriot Gary Player and Spain's Seve Ballesteros as a five-time winner of the title if he triumphs again on Sunday.

Victory is worth a massive £1million the second biggest prize ever offered for a golf event but even though Americans Tiger Woods, Jim Furyk, Kenny Perry, Phil Mickelson, David Toms and Davis Love all turned down the chance to play, Els believes the title at stake retains its glamour.

"Obviously if Tiger comes it makes it a different tournament and creates a buzz, but other than the money the prestige is still there," said Els.

"It's got the history and this is the World Match Play that you want to win."

Els considers this week's 36-hole format the true test.

No British or Irish players are taking part that has not happened since 1967 but he hopes the atmosphere will still be there.