With the 2007 European Tour season up and running, we got to thinking once again about how European the tour really is at a time when weather militates against events being staged here.

The schedule kicked off in China last month, and there have already been tournaments in Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand. Three follow in South Africa, and then on to Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Dubai and Malaysia.

In fact, a player could fulfil the tour's membership criterion by playing in the required 11 events from the HSBC Champions in China to the Malaysian Open in early February, earn the estimated /250,000 required to retain his card for 2007, and never once set foot in Europe.

TOUCHING WOODS UNLUCKY FOR FURYK

There might be more success over the last few weeks of the year, but no one can deny Jim Furyk has already had an outstanding season. A career-high second place in the PGA Tour money list with $7.2m, two victories as well as 11 top-10 finishes, and a move up to number two in the world rankings. Furyk might count himself unlucky he didn't add to his wins as three times he managed to shoot four rounds in the 60s and still failed to take the top prize. Those near misses just happened to be at the Buick Open, the WGC Bridgestone Invitational and the American Express Championship.

All won by Tiger Woods.

Coincidence of course.

HERITAGE PASSED DOWN THROUGH THE MEDIA

The confusion about the precise location of the Heritage, which hosts next year's Seve Trophy, appears to be continuing. You might remember the Daily Telegraph had the matches being played at "the Hermitage" in Lucan before correcting the mistake, while another British outlet placed the Heritage in west Dublin instead of Killenard.

Then last week, Sky Sports got in on the act insisting that their coverage at the Heritage, "in Limerick", was not to be missed.

DODGY KNEE MAY FINALLY END ELS'S RUN

Ernie Els has struggled to rediscover his best form after missing much of 2005 due to a knee injury. With a second place in Dubai and a third at the British Open his best finishes in 2006, time is running out for the South African to preserve a fine record. Els has won at least one tournament somewhere in the world every year since 1991.