While Americans scream foul at a world ranking list that has their latest "59 man", David Duval, still at number two, Darren Clarke has reached a milestone without playing a tournament. He is now down to 16th, which ties the best ranking ever achieved by an Irishman.

As it happens, the Irish target was set by Ronan Rafferty in circumstances remarkably similar to those currently enjoyed by his fellow Ulster-man. Rafferty was the reigning Volvo Masters champion - as Clarke now is - when, for a short period in May 1990, he became the 16th ranked player in the world.

Duval's inability to overtake Tiger Woods at the top of the rankings, despite a closing 59 for victory last Sunday in the Bob Hope Classic, had to do with the composition of the field. Apparently there weren't sufficient ranking points at stake because he was the only top-10 player in the field.

Meanwhile, Clarke returns to action in next week's Malaysian Open and with serious ranking points at stake in the Andersen Consulting Matchplay Championship at La Costa later in February, is likely to have outstripped Rafferty before heading for the US Masters. As happened last year when he finished eighth, he will be the only Irishman in the Augusta field.

The invitation list, which has been finalised, is particularly interesting this year for the impact that the world rankings will have on the field. It will be recalled that in a change from previous years, the top-50 in the rankings at the end of 1998, became eligible.

So Greg Norman, who would not otherwise have been in the field, gets in on the strength of an 18th position in the end-of-year rankings: inactivity has since eased him out to 24th. Rounds of 76 and 78 caused Norman to miss the cut in last year's Masters. In fact, it turned out to be his last tournament before major surgery on his left shoulder from which he returned to action in November.

Magnolia Lane also beckons Thomas Bjorn and British Open runner-up Brian Watts, on the same basis.

The debut appearance by Watts is certain to generate considerable interest in the light of his exploits at Royal Birkdale last July. Those present are unlikely to forget his spectacular recovery from a bunker to par the 72nd hole and force a play-off with Mark O'Meara.

Arnold Palmer, four times a Masters champion, is expected to play for a 45th successive year, so breaking the record held by Sam Snead. But Jack Nicklaus, who was tied sixth last year after a marvellous challenge, will be forced to end his run of 40 consecutive Masters because of hip replacement surgery this week.

There will be six amateurs in this year's field, which is the most since 1988. They include the 1998 US Amateur finalists, Hank Kuehne (winner) and Tom McKnight, British Amateur winner Sergio Garcia, US Mid-Amateur champion John Miller and the 1998 US Public Links champion Trevor Immelman.

The additional amateur is, of course, Matt Kuchar who performed brilliantly in last year's Masters for a share of 21st place. This earned him a return invitation but he would also have qualified by virtue of a share of 14th place in the US Open at the Olympic Club in June.

Later, he clashed with Garcia in a dramatic US Amateur quarterfinal match, which the Spaniard won before losing to McKnight in the semi-finals.

There are places in the field still to be filled by the winners of USPGA Tour events this year, up to and including the BellSouth Classic which ends in Atlanta on April 4th, the Sunday of Masters week.

On the amateur front, Paddy Gribben is discovering the international appeal of his status as reigning European Strokeplay champion. The Warrenpoint player will represent the GUI in the Emirates Amateur Open Strokeplay Championship, sponsored by Alfred Dunhill, at Dubai, on March 5th and 6th.

"I'm delighted with this opportunity of valuable, early-season competition," said Gribben, who is also the reigning North of Ireland champion and was a member of the victorious British and Irish team in the Eisenhower Trophy last autumn.

He added: "It's going to help my main focus for the season, which is a place in the Walker Cup team. I'm not looking beyond that at the moment."