Ernie Els has been confirmed as European number one for the 2003 season after his nearest rival Darren Clarke decided against playing the tour's penultimate tournament next week in Madrid.
The South African, 34 yesterday, cannot now be overhauled at the top of the money list and will not be travelling to the season's finale, the Volvo Masters in Valderrama, Spain, the week after next.
Els has won four times on the European Tour this year and made stg£2.07 million £500,000 more than Clarke who would have needed victory in next week's Madrid Open and the Masters to top the list.
"I feel good about being the new European Number One and I now won't have to fly back to Valderrama," said Els who is currently playing at the World Match Play Championship at Wentworth.
"But it's great to win the Order of Merit and having spoken to Darren recently, I know how much golf he has played this year and to try to play in Madrid with all the extra pressure would have been just too much.
"My goals are to win majors and win tournaments but I have supported this tour since 1991 and after earning my card in 1992, it's great to win it finally."
Andrew Chandler, manager of Clarke, said: "The Madrid Open was never on Darren's schedule and even though he could have entered and then maybe won, competing in Madrid was never an option for him.
"He's naturally disappointed to be finishing a likely second for a third time in six years but all congratulations to Ernie, who's had a fabulous year and there's no denying he richly deserves the title."
Els takes over as number one from compatriot Retief Goosen.