Merit wins would do nicely for Woods and Els

With winnings this year alone of over £3.25million apiece, it might be hard to understand why Tiger Woods and Ernie Els are today counting every last penny of their prize money.

But Woods's ground-out victory in the American Express World Championship and a share of 12th for Els tightened their grips on the Order of Merit titles in America and Europe.

Woods came away from the Capital City course with a cheque for £700,000 in his wallet. That sum sees him leapfrog Vijay Singh and Davis Love to the top of the US money list. One more win from his two remaining events this season will almost certainly see the world No1 win the US Order of Merit for the fifth year in succession and the sixth time in seven years.

But if Woods's champagne remains on ice, Els can all but start celebrating now.

Just £270 separates the Surrey-based South African from a maiden European Order of Merit title and he can only be headed if nearest challenger Darren Clarke achieves a long-shot double of winning the Madrid Open and the season-closing Volvo Masters at Valderrama.

Clarke will compete in both, knowing Els is committed to clashing events in America. "It would be foolish of me not to," he said.

But the gracious Ryder Cup star admitted: "Ernie deserves to win the Order of Merit more than I do. He has won more tournaments and he's played more consistently than I've done. I have no qualms about that."