Darren Clarke has discovered an absorbing distraction from the tensions of the Ryder Cup build-up. Ireland's only representative at Valderrama takes delight these days in gently ribbing Colin Montgomerie, Ian Woosnam and Bernhard Langer over the battle for top position in the European Order of Merit.
Remarkably, Clarke is only £2,433 behind the leader, Montgomerie, despite not having won a tournament so far this season. Consistency has been the key. With prize money of £437,314 from 21 tournaments, he has won £20,824 per tournament.
Indeed, the £22,460 he collected for a share of sixth place behind Costantino Rocca in Switzerland last Sunday, was typical of his average weekly haul. It is reminiscent of Payne Stewart's achievement in the US in 1986 when, without a tournament win, he finished third in the US money list with $535,398.
"I don't have any problem in thinking about the Ryder Cup but the money list is more fun at the moment," he said yesterday. "Valderrama will receive my undivided attention when I join the rest of the team there at lunchtime on the Monday of Ryder Cup week."
In the meantime, he has heard the speculation linking him with Montgomerie as a Ryder Cup partner. "It looks like it may turn out that way, which would be great from my point of view," he said. "Monty and I regularly play practice rounds together and we know each other's game pretty well."
Another probable pairing is that of the two English representatives, Nick Faldo and Lee Westwood. By deploying his forces in this way, skipper Seve Ballesteros would be able to ease two of his rookies into battle with two of the most experienced members of the side.
Meanwhile, Clarke will be among eight Irish challengers in this week's Lancome Trophy at St Nom la Breteche, starting on Thursday. The others are Ronan Rafferty, Philip Walton, Eamonn Darcy, Des Smyth, Christy O'Connor Jnr, Raymond Burns and David Higgins. It is a particularly important event for Smyth (131st in the Order of Merit), who is in danger of losing his Category Seven status and for Higgins (155th), who needs to do something dramatic if he is avoid losing his card altogether. Smyth's future is protected by his position in the top-40 of the all-time money list.
After Paris, Clarke will go on to the One 2 One British Masters at the Forest of Arden. Then he has the Ryder Cup before defending the German Masters title in Berlin. After that, he will play in the Smurfit PGA Championship at Fota Island but only if he fails to get an invitation into the conflicting Toyota World Matchplay. "I understand that there's a good chance of a place at Wentworth," he said.
Clarke went on: "Basically, I plan to play everything between now and the Volvo Masters. My decision to compete in the Oki Pro-Am (October 23rd to 26th), however, will depend on how the Order of Merit looks at that stage.
"The fact is that my position should be much stronger than it is at the moment. I was twice joint leader in Switzerland last weekend and let it slip. And yes, it certainly bothers me that I haven't won this season.
"The whole idea of being out here on tour is to win. With that in mind, it seems highly unlikely I will take up the option of a US card next year. I will certainly play seven or eight tournaments in the States but I want to build a winning base in Europe, just like Monty has done."
Another former Irish Close champion has made a modest, but nonetheless interesting impact on the rankings over the weekend. By finishing second (£4,940) in the Sovereign Russian Open in Moscow, only his third Challenge Tour event of the season, Gary Murphy has claimed 75th position in that particular Order of Merit with £5,419.
