European Ryder Cup captain Mark James gets the chance to observe some of the leading contenders for places in his team at the Turespana Masters in Malaga this week.

The £357,000 tournament has attracted a top class field with Darren Clarke, Order of Merit leader David Howell and home trio Jose-Maria Olazabal, Seve Ballesteros and amateur star Sergio Garcia all competing over the Parador Malaga del Golf course.

Clarke will be joined by fellow Irishmen Christy O'Connor junior, Padraig Harrington, Philip Walton, Eamonn Darcy, John McHenry and Des Smyth.

James will be particularly keen to check on the progress of Ulster-man Clarke, who has endured an indifferent start to the season.

The 30-year-old from Dungannon is still second in the Ryder Cup points table after a strong finish last season, but missed the cut in Malaysia and lost in the first round of the Andersen Consulting Matchplay to Andrew Magee.

Olazabal fared better in the match-play at La Costa, reaching the quarter-finals despite an erratic long game, and he will be hoping local knowledge can help him climb up the table from 17th position.

"I didn't get any consistency off the tee until the quarter-final against John Huston," said the 1994 Masters champion, who won a Spanish Amateur Championship over the Parador course.

"I hit the ball better that day than any time during the week, I hope I can keep that consistency. That's the most positive thing I can take from the week. Now I just need to put it all together.

"Last week I stayed at home resting, sitting on the sofa because it has been snowing, and I couldn't do anything.

"The course is in much better shape than I heard a month ago, the only problem are the bunkers. They have stones and the sand is very soft which makes it difficult to control the ball."

Worries about the bunkers were common among those who have played the course but local hero and defending champion Miguel Angel Jimenez should have no problems as he chases the £60,000 first prize.

The 35-year-old Spaniard, born and bred in Malaga, still lives in the area and will be able to commute the short distance from his house in Benalmadena to the course.

"This will be a fantastic experience," said Jimenez, who won this title last year when it was played at Santa Ponsa. "I live just 10 minutes from the course and I can't wait to defend my title so close to home.

"My family will be able to come and watch me and it will be nice playing in front of so many local people who are sure to be supporting me."

Last year's win sparked a superb 1998 campaign for Jimenez, who also won the Trophee Lancome and finished fourth in the Order of Merit.

Such displays mean he is currently fourth in the Ryder Cup table and on course for a debut in the event, after acting as Seve Ballesteros' non-playing vice-captain at Valderrama in 1997.

Another Spaniard who will fancy his chances is Francisco Cea, who grew up in the only house within the course grounds and still lives there, and whose father is still employed at the club.

British Amateur champion Sergio Garcia is sure to have a large following too, as the teenager continues his build-up for the US Masters next month at Augusta.

Garcia is combining studies with golf and had to sit a philosophy test last week. But he still finds time to work hard on his game.

"My game is in quite good shape," he said. "I've been practising the last two days and I've hit the ball quite well.

"The course is set-up complicated, the greens are hard and difficult to read."