European Tour Order of Merit
The Harry Vardon Trophy is awarded to the highest placed money winner on the European PGA tour. The Order of Merit is calculated in euros, although around half of the events have prize funds which are fixed in other currencies. In these instances the prize funds are converted into euros at the exchange rate for the week that the tournament is played.
European Tour Race to Dubai
This year the Order of Merit is to be enhanced and from now on will be known as the 'Race to Dubai'. The season, instead of culminating at the Volvo Masters in Spain, will in fact be played in Dubai and effectively become the European Tour's version of the World Golf Championship. The Dubai Championship will carry prize money of over $10 million and will take place at the end of November 2009. It will become a huge betting market, particularly as the field for this final event will be restricted to the top 60 players on the tour.
Bookmakers create many Golf betting markets for all of these events and Free bet facilities are available with them all.
The 2008 season saw Robert Karlsson become the first player from Sweden to have his name engraved on the coveted trophy, finishing ahead of fellow Ryder Cup players, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Miguel Angel Jiminez.
Past Winners of the European Order of Merit
- 2008 - Robert Karlsson
- 2007 - Justin Rose
- 2006 - Padraig Harrington
- 2005 - Colin Montgomerie
- 2004 - Ernie Els
- 2003 - Ernie Els
- 2002 - Retief Goosen
- 2001 - Retief Goosen
- 2000 - Lee Westwood
- 1999 - Colin Montgomerie