Much has been rightly made of the European players' rising stock over the past couple of seasons, however, it's worth pointing out even at this early stage that only one European has won a tournament so far this year.

With Chris DiMarco winning in Abu Dhabi, Tiger Woods in Dubai, and with Kevin Stadler's success last weekend at the Johnnie Walker Classic, it has been left to Henrik Stenson to "y the European "ag with his victory in Qatar.

Meanwhile, Padraig Harrington, who "nishes his "rst event of 2006 in Malaysia today, says that he tends to hit form at his fourth tournament of the season, so it might just be worth checking out the odds for his defence of the Honda Classic in Florida next month.

LEHMAN LIVING IN A FANTASY WORLD

For reasons best known to himself, US Ryder Cup captain Tom Lehman has still not ruled out the possibility of playing at the K Club in September.

Although recent history has shown that for the captain to be effective he should be non-playing . . .Arnold Palmer in 1963 was the last to attempt both roles . . . Lehman had this to say just last week: "I'd have to prove to myself that I'm really playing well f I'm trying really hard to be on this team myself."

Currently in 21st place in the US rankings, Lehman needs his head, if not his game, examined.

EQUALITY ON THE GREENS EVER CLOSER

The recent European Union directive that golf clubs which allow both men and women to become members will not be permitted to exclude women from the bar or to restrict tee times from 2007 on, is certainly good news for equality campaigners.

If, on the back of the directive, there was a suggestion that ladies' tees would be done away with as well, that won't be an issue, but the directive could affect single-sex clubs such as Portmarnock and Royal Dublin which remain legitimate on the grounds of the right to freedom of association.

The Equality Authority, which lost its High Court challenge to Portmarnock's men-only membership policy last year, has appealed the decision to the Supreme Court.