The countdown is well and truly under way in the quest to be Europe's number one and, unless there is a dramatic changeabout, the big three of Lee Westwood, Darren Clarke and Colin Montgomerie look set to slug it out between them for the final three events.

Not surprisingly, all three are playing in this week's Linde German Masters in Cologne, which starts on Thursday. Clarke returns to the fairways after resting from the Lancome, a decision which now appears to have been a very wise. He lost little ground to the money leader Westwood and Monty only made slight inroads.

So, suitably refreshed, Clarke could well be worth following this week. The Dungannon man is on offer at 14 to 1 which, given his form this season, is quite acceptable, and only Montgomerie (9 to 1) and US PGA champion Vijay Singh (12 to 1) are ahead of him in the betting. Bernhard Langer, the defending champion and a prolific winner in Germany, is priced at 16 to 1, but his form of late (over four rounds) has been inconsistent, while, for the second week running, some form of appearance money has ensured a strong presence from US Tourbased players with Singh, Scott Hoch and Brad Faxon all playing. For an each-way saver bet, Alex Cejka at 40 to 1 could be worthy of consideration.

9-1 - Colin Montgomerie (Scot).

12-1 - Vijay Singh (Fij).

14-1 - Lee Westwood (Eng), Darren Clarke (Ire).

16-1 - Bernhard Langer (Ger).

20-1 - Scott Hoch (USA).

25-1 - Nick Faldo (Eng), Per-Ulrik Johansson (Swe), Thomas Bjorn (Den), Sam Torrance (Scot).

33-1 - Ian Woosnam (Wales), Costantino Rocca (It), Gerg Turner (NZ), Patrik Sjoland (Swe), Brad Faxon (USA).

40-1 - Jose-Maria Olazabal (Sp), Jarmo Sandelin (Swe), Peter O'Malley (Aus), Alex Cejka (Ger).

Selected others: 50-1 - Paul McGinley (Ire). 80-1 - Padraig Harrington (Ire).

Prices supplied by Ladbrokes Ireland.