Back in the first week of the 1997 Golf Masters David Carter fell ill during the Dubai Desert Classic and faced a lengthy absence from the game. It left those managers who had hired him facing a dilemma - should they use one of their four transfers so early in the competition or trust that he would make a speedy recovery?

Some stuck with him, confident the South African-born player would repay their loyalty and patience when he returned; others panicked and promptly removed him from their teams.

By week eight he had, remarkably, returned to action after having an operation to remove fluid from his brain and those who retained his services have been rewarded ever since. So far, the £600,000 buy has earned more per pound spent on him than any other player in the competition.

Just behind Carter in the best value top 10 is American Jim Furyk (employed by 11 per cent), who was also one of last year's great bargain buys and this year is our eighth leading earner overall. Furyk cost £900,000 in 1996, £1.7 million this year and, we suspect, his valuation will soar some more in the 1998 Golf Masters.