Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood go straight back into action this week after being mauled by Tiger Woods at St Andrews. Disappointed not to give the world number one a better run for his money in the Open - Clarke finished 11 strokes behind in ninth place and Westwood a massive 22 adrift in 64th spot - the pair are seeking to show they have no lasting scars at the TNT Dutch Open at Noordwijkse.

A successful defence of the title he won at Hilversum last year could take Westwood top of the Order of Merit for the first time this season.

However it is not now Clarke he is trying to dislodge, but South African Ernie Els, whose second place finishes in the Masters, US Open and British Open have moved him to the top of the European money list.

After five months in first place, Clarke was knocked off top spot on Sunday.

But it was not that so much as his failure to sustain a last-round challenge which left him annoyed.

"It's very unlike me to get myself in a position and then waste it," he said. "But it's made me more determined than ever.

"There is no point getting dispirited. I made a couple of mistakes and a couple of short putts horseshoed out, but overall I hit the ball fine, and putting with me comes and goes.

"Winning is important. There is nothing like it and I want to get back on that trail. It's been eight weeks since the English Open."

Westwood went to the Old Course with victories in his previous two events. At halfway he was four under par and still in contention, but his dislike for St Andrews was made apparent by closing rounds of 76 and 75.

"I tried to enjoy it, but struggled and couldn't wait to get off and get home," he said.

"I stood on the (Swilken) bridge and waved goodbye like Jack and Arnie. I like links courses in general, the ones which reward good shots and good place, but it's the unpredictability of St Andrews which bothers me. It's a one-off.

"It was always going to be difficult because I don't like the place."

Whether he likes this week's test remains to be seen, because the 27-year-old was not even on the European circuit when Colin Montgomerie won in 1993.

"I know that Ernie has gone to number one and that Darren or I could go there, but there's only one time to do it and that's right at the end of the year," he said.

"There are two World Championships with a million dollars on offer and the only thing to concern me at the moment is the Dutch Open."

The first of those world championships is in Akron, Ohio next month and there are only two more tournaments after this week before the 12 European players taking part are decided.

Clarke and Westwood are safe, as are Montgomerie, Padraig Harrington and Phil Price. But players like ninth-placed Gary Orr, 10th-placed Paul McGinley, 11th-placed Andrew Coltart and 12th-placed Ian Woosnam are all under threat.

Of those Orr, McGinley and Coltart play this week, but Woosnam and Denmark's Thomas Bjorn will not compete.