Two victories in Ireland during 2000, helped Sweden's Sophie Gustafson to become Europe's female player of the year, a distinction which she previously gained in 1998. The 27-yearold's tournament successes during 2000 on this side of the Atlantic included the Irish Women's Open (at Faithlegg), the Italian Open and the British Women's Open.

For good measure, Gustafson teamed with compatriot Carin Koch to capture the inaugural TSN Women's World Cup at Adare Manor last September. And so far this year on the LPGA Tour in the US, she has captured the Subaru Memorial tournament in Naples, Florida.

WORLD RANKINGS: 1, T Woods (USA) 27.73pts; 2, E Els (Rsa) 11.62; 3, P Mickelson (USA) 11.16; 4, D Duval (USA) 9.39; 5, L Westwood (Eng) 9.09; 6, D Love III (USA) 8.71; 7, C Montgomerie (Sco) 8.34; 8, V Singh (Fij) 7.46; 9, D Clarke (Ire) 7.01; 10, H Sutton (USA) 6.99.