EGA FINAL 2006 MEN'S AMATEUR RANKINGS

RORY McILROY IS EUROPE'S
N0 1 AHEAD OF RAMSAY (8th),
AND SALTMAN (14th

Comment by COLIN FARQUHARSON

Since I first published the European Golf Association final men's amateur rankings for 2006 earlier this week, I have had a communication from its Swiss headquarters that they have now been adjusted to take into account performances by European students on the American college circuit.
There is no change in Richie Ramsey's position - eighth - but Lloyd Saltman, the No 1 on the EGA table at this time last year, drops down to 14th postion while George Murray drops out fo the top 20!
But how, I hear you ask, can Richie Ramsay be No 1 in the current world men's amateur rankings operated by the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews while he is "only" eighth under the EGA's system?
Simple answer is that the EGA drew up a list of leading EUROPEAN amateur tournaments for the 2006 season in which points could be earned towards rankings.
The United States amateur championship does not figure on the European golf calendar so Richie earned no points towards an European ranking - but plenty towards a WORLD ranking by winning it.
Of course, the latest news from the EGA that they have adjusted the final rankings to take into account student performances in the States, rather makes a nonsense of Richie Ramsay getting "nil points" for winning the US amateur championship!
The No 1 European male amateur golfer for 2006 is the rising Irish star (he's actually from near Belfast) is Rory McIlroy, pictured above right.
England have four players in the top six and seven in the top 20. Here is the European Golf Association's revised final top 20 for the year:

1 RORY McILROY (Ireland) 327.67.
2 JAMIE MOUL (England) 307.50.
3 JULIEN GUERRIER (France) 260.13.
4 ROSS McGOWAN (England) 238.00.
5 OLIVER FISHER (England) 231.63.
6 ROBERT DINWIDDIE (England) 217.50.
7 ANTII AHOKAS (Finland) 214.13.
8 RICHIE RAMSAY (Scotland) 213.75.
9 MARIUS THORP (Norway) 203.83.
10 EDOARDO MOLINARI (Italy) 167.50.
11 GARY WOLSTENHOLME (England) 162.67.
12 STEPHEN LEWTON (England) 158.50.
13 OSCAR FLOREN (Sweden) 155.88.
14 LLOYD SALTMAN (Scotland) 152.50.
15 JULIEN GRILLON (France) 150.00.
16 MATTEO DEL PODIO (Italy) 145.00
17 NIGEL EDWARDS (Wales) 139.00.
18 JASON PALMER (England) 132.25.
19 ADRIEN BERNADET (France) 118.50.
20 FLORIAN FRITSCH (Germany) 117.00.