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Rose: Reigning European Order of Merit champion

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The race to top the European Order of Merit starts here.

European Tour stats package

With the European season heading into its final straight, this week's Alfred Dunhill Links Championship will go a long way to deciding the destiny of this year's Money List title.

Padraig Harrington currently leads the way, although Lee Westwood, Robert Karlsson and Miguel Angel Jimenez are also in the chase to end the season as Europe's No 1.

And if Henrik Stenson or Graeme McDowell were to win this week at St Andrews - where the champion will collect a cheque for more than half-a-million Euros - they too would be thrust into the title race.

So who are the men to watch out for over the Old Course this week?

Ernie Els: In six appearances at the Links Championship has only once finished lower than seventh. The South African has twice been a runner-up but never a winner. He averages 68.38 from his last 16 rounds in the tournament.

Padraig Harrington: The current king of links golf following back-to-back Open titles. He has also won the Alfred Dunhill event twice (2002 & 2006).

Raphael Jacquelin: His most recent 17 rounds in the event average out at 70.47. Can he become the first non British or Irish player to lift the trophy?

Justin Rose: Makes a rare visit to Europe to play at St Andrews where he finished second to Nick Dougherty 12 months ago. Should be full of confidence following his 75% success rate at the Ryder Cup in Kentucky where he beat Phil Mickelson in the singles.

Henrik Stenson: The Swede has a reasonable St Andrews' record - three top-10s from his last five visits.

Lee Westwood: Has posted four top-10 finishes from his last five trips to the tournament - which included a victory in 2003. He also improved his chances of topping this year's Order of Merit with a runner-up finish at The Belfry over the weekend.