STRONG SHOWING FROM ISM IN PARIS

Carlos Rodiles picked up the form that enhanced his early season to give himself an early autumn boost at the weekend.

The 25-year-old Spaniard, who astounded many with his maturity and talent at the Volvo PGA Championship last spring, produced his best ever finish in the outskirts of Paris at the Lancome Trophy.

Second place behind Germany's Alex Cejka on the composite Saint-Nom-La-Breteche course earned Rodiles a cheque for more than £100,000 and the praise of his manager, ISM's Chubby Chandler.

"Carlos has been developing quietly, but significantly for some time now and his performance at the Lancome was nothing less than outstanding," said Chandler.

"It was also very encouraging to see so many of our other clients entering the final day in sniffing distance of the trophy, he added. The more experience they get at the sharp end the better their chances will be of landing one of the games top prizes when the opportunity arises."

ISM had no fewer than six players inside the top 40 with Simon Dyson and Ian Garbutt closest to Rodiles in tied 13th place.

"Simon and Ian are getting ever closer to the winners circle in Europe while Carlos seems to excel in the big events, added Chandler. It just shows that our strength in depth is getting ever deeper. What all our players must seek to do is get into contention on a more regular basis."

This week's rest because of the World Match Play at Wentworth has not pleased everybody. Darren Clarke was particularly disappointed not to have been invited to the annual event and being higher in the world rankings than about half the field is not an insignificant point.

"It seems a shame that it matters who you are managed by for this tournament," said Clarke. "Surely it could be opened up to a few more players particularly since one third of the field has a bye through to the second round."

2002 Volvo Order of Merit (as after the Trophee Lancome)

1. Retief Goosen 2,299,070
2. Ernie Els 2,251,708
3. Padraig Harrington 2,245,041
4. Eduardo Romero 1,784,015
5. Colin Montgomerie 1,545,071
6. Sergio Garcia 1,402,469
7. Michael Campbell 1,325,403
8. Justin Rose 1,282,438
9. Vijay Singh 1,230,315
10. Adam Scott 1,171,119
23. Darren Clarke 781,525
41. Carlos Rodiles 480,289
51. Graeme McDowell 393,964
53. Paul McGinley 392,454
57. Simon Dyson 374,315
73. Andrew Coltart 296,750
75. David Howell 295,069
78. Nick O'Hern 281,071
79. Lee Westwood 279,788
80. Ian Garbutt 276,040
94. Mark Foster 206,099
102. Martin Maritz 189,399
106.David Park 183,671

The Official World Ranking (Week 39)

1. Tiger Woods 17.87 pts avg
2. Phil Mickelson 8.97
3. Ernie Els 7.80
4. Retief Goosen 6.92
5. Sergio Garcia 6.59
6. Padraig Harrington 6.11
7. David Toms 5.60
8. Vijay Singh 5.39
9. Davis Love-III 5.37
10. Jim Furyk 4.97
17. Michael Campbell 3.90
22. Darren Clarke 3.61
79. Paul McGinley 1.86

ISM Player sponsors

EUROPEAN TOUR

Darren Clarke - Dimension Data Holdings; Titleist & FootJoy - ball/shoe/glove; Donnay; Sun Zapper; Sure Grip.

Andrew Coltart - Titleist & FootJoy - ball/shoe/glove; Kellogg's Nutri-Grain; Sodexho; BUPA; Lyle & Scott, The Duke's Course & Old Course Hotel, St. Andrews; Bentleys-Lexus, Warrington

Simon Dyson - PING - equipment; Strata & Etonic - ball/shoe/glove; Pringle; Harrods Casino Online; Carringtons; Sunderland of Scotland.

Mark Foster - PING - equipment; Donnay; Kellogg's Nutri-Grain; Kingsbridge Financial.

Ian Garbutt - Taylor Made; Dockers; Le Meridien Algarve; Yorkshire Bank; Sunderland of Scotland.

David Howell - Titleist & FootJoy - equipment & ball/shoe/glove; Kellogg's Nutri-Grain; Donnay; Savoy Honda - Altrincham.

Paul McGinley - TaylorMade; Allianz; Kellogg's Nutri-Grain; BUPA; The K Club, Dublin; dunhill; Halliwell Jones BMW.

Graeme McDowell - TaylorMade; Kellogg's Nutri-Grain; Kungsängen Golf Club

David Park - Titleist & FootJoy - ball/shoe/glove; Donnay.

Carlos Rodiles - Taylor Made.

Lee Westwood - PING - equipment; Titleist & FootJoy - ball/shoe/glove; Joey Rodolfo 1879; Centrum; Pinheiros Altos Group; Rayma Therapeutic Bracelets.