Goosen seeks grand finale

Goosen goes in search of a fourth title of the year

Retief Goosen has already secured the European Order of Merit for 2001 but there are several other issues still to be decided at the Volvo Masters in Jerez this week.

The battle for second place on the tour's final money-list could be won by any of five players, while three golfers are competing to be named rookie of the year at the Spanish event.

US Open champion Goosen will be attempting to clinch his fourth title of the year when he tees off at the Montecastillo Golf Club on Thursday.

Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke, who won the Volvo Masters at Montecastillo in 1998, is second to Goosen on the Order of Merit.

I'll just carry on the way I have been because it's worked so far

Retief Goosen

But Clarke is under pressure from Padraig Harrington, Colin Montgomerie, Bernhard Langer and Thomas Bjorn.

Clarke usually shows well in Jerez - he won there Jerez three years ago, finished in a tie for fifth a year later and came second last year.

England's Paul Casey, the 2001 Scottish PGA champion, is firm favourite to win the rookie of the year title going in to the final event.

However, South African Jean Hugo or Italian Open champion Gregory Havret of France have an outside chance of beating him to it.

Casey, a member of Britain and Ireland's victorious Walker Cup side in 1999, finished joint 12th in his first start this year and then secured his 2002 card by finishing second to Andrew Coltart in the Great North Open.

The Englishman is 18th on the tour's money list.

Goosen holds the 2001 Scottish Open and Madrid Open titles as well as winning his first Major at Southern Hills.

"I'll just carry on the way I have been because it's worked so far," the South African said.