Stenson determined to regain money-list top spot

ALVESLOHE, Germany, July 25 (Reuters) Swede Henrik Stenson, ousted at the top of the European money-list by British Open champion Padraig Harrington on Sunday, is determined to recapture top spot.

Harrington, who beat Sergio Garcia in a four-hole playoff at Carnoustie last week, is not taking part in the Players Championship of Europe, which begins at the Gut Kaden course outside Hamburg tomorrow World number nine Stenson, who was at the summit of the European order of merit until Harrington took over, has now slipped 326,199 euros behind the Irishman.

With a 600,000 euros first prize this week Stenson can regain top place.

''I put myself in a good position with the win in Dubai and the WGC Matchplay but it needs a whole lot more than that to be number one at the end of the year,'' Stenson told reporters today.

''I'm not far behind Padraig and I just have to get my game in shape, come up with a couple of good weeks to challenge him again.'' This week's event could prove a battle of Swedes.

Fellow-countryman Niclas Fasth, the recent BMW International Open winner and third on the money-list, could go top with victory and he wants be there or thereabouts on the money-list come October at the closing event, the Volvo Masters.

''It would naturally be my goal to win again this year,'' Fasth told a news conference, ''and if I could manage to pull off a big one, then I would be in the hunt.'' Compatriot Robert Karlsson, the holder, is another with designs on the first prize, but all three Swedes could face a stiff examination in the event Fasth won in 2005.

South Africans Retief Goosen (world 14) and Rory Sabbatini (world 16) are in the field.

Their regular PGA Tour fellow pros, 2006 Ryder Cup player Brett Wetterich, JB Holmes, Matt Kuchar, Charley Hoffman and Rod Pampling also tee up at Gut Kaden.

Argentine Andres Romero, leading the British Open as late as the 17th last Sunday, seeks his maiden European Tour title.

Reuters BJR GC1848