Season's end, except for those who fancy a bit of globe-trotting, and all eyes will be focused on Colin Montgomerie's attempt to create a piece of history by landing a sixth successive European Order of Merit title.

Not surprisingly, Montgomerie is the 8 to 1 favourite to land the Volvo Masters at Montecastillo this week - and it isn't surprising either to find the young pretender to his crown, Lee Westwood, as his nearest rival in the betting, at 10 to 1.

Both men are accustomed to playing under pressure and, as such, should revel in the rivalry at the Spanish course where Westwood won last year's curtailed tournament.

However, nicely priced in the betting at 11 to 1 is a certain Ernie Els. Okay, so the South African hasn't exactly had one of his best seasons - and his presence in the field is due to the fact that he failed to get into the elite top-30 for the US Tour's end-of-season handout, the Tour Championship. But Els can still produce the goods when the chips are down and, with no pressure on him, is worth a wager at the odds offered. For each-way value, Padraig Harrington, the recently-crowned Irish PGA champion and a runner-up to Westwood over this course last year, represents good odds at 40 to 1.

8-1 - Colin Montgomerie (Scot).

10-1 - Lee Westwood (Eng).

11-1 - Ernie Els (SA).

20-1 - Darren Clarke (Ire).

25-1 - Patrik Sjoland (Swe), Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spain), Jose Maria Olazabal (Spain), Ian Woosnam (Wales), Bernhard Langer (Ger), Per Ulrik Johansson (Swe).

33-1 - Thomas Bjorn (Den), Robert Karlsson (Swe), Nick Faldo (Eng), Costantino Rocca (Italy), Greg Turner (NZ), Robert Allenby (Aus), Peter O'Malley (Aus).

Selected others: 40-1 - Padraig Har- rington (Ire); 50-1 - Paul McGinley (Ire).

(Prices supplied by Ladbrokes Ireland).