Clarke concedes Order of Merit

Darren Clarke has conceded the European Order of Merit title to Ernie Els after deciding not to play next week’s Madrid Open.

Clarke had to win both in the Spanish capital and at the following week’s Volvo Masters at Valderrama to overtake Els – but only if the South African stuck to his original plan of not playing in either of them.

Earlier this week Els said he might go to the Volvo Masters, where last-place prize money would be enough to secure him the money list crown.

“One day hopefully I will win it, but I felt it was not in my long-term interests to play next week because I’ve still got a lot of travelling to do this year,” stated the Ulsterman.

“Congratulations to Ernie – he deserves it. It’s a fantastic effort from a limited schedule.”

Els, who with over £2m (€2.8m) in prize money is nearly £570,000 (€823,000) clear, played 16 events to Clarke’s 17, winning four times to Clarke’s sole success in the NEC world championship in Akron in August.

Manager Chubby Chandler commented: “Darren did consider playing next week, but looking at the bigger picture he did not think he could realistically win the money list. He’s done a lot of travelling this season and still has a lot more to do.”