Despite a T-54 in Hong Kong, where he regretted playing, there are few if any as zeroed in on their games right as Westwood. He finally returned to the winner's circle in Portugal last month, but his overall consistency at a high level makes him a favorite everywhere he tees it up. The winner of the Race to Dubai receives $1.5 million in bonus prize money on top of his paycheck at the Dubai World Championship.

Allenby buried eight birdies at the Greg Norman-designed Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates in the United Arab Emirates. Thirty-three of the 58 entrants are under par through 18 holes. Notables not among that lot are Justin Rose (E), Miguel Angel Jimenez (E), Ross Fisher (+1), Luke Donald (+1), Ernie Els (+2) and Graeme McDowell (+4). Paul Casey (rib muscle) and Anthony Kim (fatigue) are the only two eligible not competing.

Fourteen months ago, the Euro Tour increased its membership requirement from 11 to 12 starts. That will remain the minimum for the 2010 season, which begins in South Africa in three weeks. The Tour also opened up the conduit of Affiliate Membership for 2009, making it easy for non-Euro members to contend in the Race to Dubai, the final of which begins on Thursday. Adam Scott, for one, admitted that he might forego Euro Tour membership next year if the membership incentives were approved. He is likely reconsidering his decision.

Barron was awaiting the decision in Texas where he was planning on playing in the second stage of Q School. As a result, the suspension will carry into late 2010, which will prevent him from competing in the first stage of Q School next year. In essence, it's a two-year ban from membership unless he manages to win after sneaking into an event via Monday qualifying or a sponsor exemption in 2011. In hindsight, while this is how he makes his living, Barron will likely regret teeing it up in June while still weaning off the banned substance. According to Alex Miceli at Golfweek.com, Barron was completely off the Propranolol by the end of July. In response to the judge's decision tonight, the PGA Tour issed this brief statement: "We are pleased with the court's decision and have no further comment at this time."

This directly influences the eligibility of 2009 British Open runner-up, Tom Watson, who turned 60 in September and was facing his final start in the major at St. Andrews in 2010 because of the age restriction. "We have introduced this exemption as a direct response to seeing two of our great Open Champions, both in their fifties, challenging to win our championship these last two years," explained Peter Dawson, Chief Executive of The R&A, also inferring Greg Norman's T-3 in 2008 at the age of 53.

The other players earning invitations to both tournaments because of their top-30 finishes were: Matt Kuchar (24th), Ian Poulter (25th), John Rollins (28th) and Justin Leonard (30th). Rory Sabbatini (18th) and Tim Clark (29th) were already eligible for the Masters but now have an invitation to the U.S. Open after their top-30 finishes.

Ames told the Golf Channel after his victory, "I thought last night if I shot a 64 today that I would have a good chance." He shot the round of 64 by going 3-under-par on the front nine and then carding five birdies in his last seven holes to reach 18-under-par for the tournament. He then waited as the final groups finished up and he found himself in a three-way playoff with Justin Leonard and George McNeill. On the first playoff hole, Ames and McNeill were able to par the 18th hole, but Justin Leonard was eliminated when he three-putted for a bogey. The final playoff hole was at the par-3 15th hole, Ames found the green and two-putted for par and he won the championship when McNeill had his 6-foot par-putt go in and out of the hole for a bogey. The championship is the fourth career title for Ames and it is the second time that he has won the Children's Miracle Network Classic.