Ewen Murray explains why we have just witnessed the greatest European Tour season ever.
Ewen looks back and forward to the Nedbank Challenge
The European Tour has enjoyed its finest year since its inception back in the early seventies.
I joined the Tour in November of 1971 and back then it was touch and go as to whether it would survive, never mind be a success.
The total prize money then was one million pounds, for the whole year, and last week the riches on offer were several times more for the Dubai World Championship alone. It's been a long journey but through the work and dedication of many during these four decades, the Tour today is one to be proud of.
The world number one and three are both part of that tour and because of that the rules have changed. It's now been proved possible to reach the summit of the game by playing the majority of golf here. Right now, the European Tour is the place to be.
Not just the big names have had wonderful seasons. Noh Sueng-yul of Korea, a player I hugely admire tucked away his maiden victory in Malaysia and during the year climbed into the world's top 70 having started the year at 269th.
Matteo Manessero won in Castillon to become the youngest player to win on Tour and Rory McIlroy continued his progress by winning at Quail Hollow shooting that brilliant final round of 62.
There were many great performances to admire and we have Lee Westwood sitting proudly at the top of the world rankings.
My player of the year would be Germany's Martin Kaymer. It's not easy to separate him and Graeme McDowell, but Martin said after being crowned European number one: "I reached all of my goals this year. Winner of the Race to Dubai, being a member of the victorious Ryder Cup Team and capturing my first major". It was close to perfection.
Leveller
I left Dubai skirting Somalia and flew down the coast of Tanzania crossing Zambia and Zimbabwe en route to Sun City. Having landed in Johannesburg, I flew to the North Western Province in a light plane with Lee Westwood, Edoardo Molinari, Ross Fisher and Miguel Angel Jimenez.
Golf is a great leveller and its one of the reasons our sport stands head and shoulders above so many others. These four players have had excellent years yet they remain the same impressive sportsman and characters they have been for a long time.
The Nedbank Challenge is celebrating 30 years and this year we will have the same format with 12 players competing for a first prize of 1.2 million dollars. To add to that, eight senior golfers will have their own event over the first two days.
Nick Price returns to the Gary Player country club where he enjoyed great success in his regular tour career. He has not changed either. Still the same gentleman as when we played back in the seventies and eighties. I had lunch with him today and enjoyed a look back on yesteryear.
Nick is enjoying his second golfing career alongside those he had so many close battles with in their prime.
Gary Player is the guest of honour at the club that bares his name. Still a fitness fanatic, Gary has visited five countries in the last three weeks as his course design business continues to prosper. His latest creation in Abu Dhabi, Sadayat Island has won acclaim from many quarters and is set to raise the standards in the Middle East. Gary will join myself and Ken Brown in commentary this week.
Also here for the seniors event this week is Jay Haas, 1988 USPGA champion Jeff Sluman, Fred Funk, a past players champion, and from Africa, Mark McNulty along with former world series winner, Fulton Allem.
The course is in pristine condition after some rain during the past fortnight and we are all set to celebrate 30 years with some style and elegance.
Issue
No doubt one of the big talking points since last Sunday's finale was the rules issue on the 74th green involving Ian Poulter.
At times the rules are a little hard to understand, at times many of you may think they lack some common sense, but they are there to protect the game. What if the referee decided to wave the unfortunate dropping of the ball on the coin as Ian was not trying to gain any advantage? Ian then steps up and holes his putt followed by Robert Karlsson missing? Like them or loathe them, they are a vital part of the game's integrity.
I felt for Ian as the golf he has played the last three weeks has been from the top drawer. He will of course get over it and he will continue to use his "lucky" marker. It bares the names of his children; it is made of platinum and encrusted with diamonds. Well of course it is, its Ian's! Poulter is good for the sport and is fast becoming one of the top players of his era.
I was pleased for Robert Karlsson. Robert had serious issues with his eyes shortly after becoming European number one in 2008. He has eased himself back to top form and his win in Dubai is another plus for the over forties. With the courage he showed in the closing stages, he has a good few years left at the top.
Sorry about the weather at home, but enjoy Sun City and I'll be in touch from Leopard Creek in Mpumalanga next week.
