Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
This time of the season is never short of drama, whether it comes at the top of the leaderboard or from somewhat further down as the pressure of making enough money to keep your playing rights for next season becomes a real prospect.
Miguel Angel Jimenez is invariably near the top of the leaderboard and last weekend was no different. Following three majestic rounds, including a best of the season 61, Jimenez held off the dogged challenge of Edoardo Molinari to win the European Masters at Crans-sur-Sierre by three shots.
In doing so the veteran Spaniard chalked up his third European Tour victory of what has been a memorable season. Having already won in Dubai and France, the 46-year-old has now ended a 22-year wait for success in Switzerland in a tournament in which he has twice before finished as runner-up.
Jimenez, who started the day with a three-shot lead, looked to be cruising to a comfortable victory as he pulled six clear with nine holes to play. But Molinari, who was also looking for a third win of the season, refused to throw the towel in and had closed to within one of his Ryder Cup colleague with three holes to play.
That was as good as it got for the Italian as a birdie from Jimenez at 17 reopened a three-shot advantage and ensured he could enjoy his walk down 18.
Another phenomenally talented young Italian is teenager Matteo Manassero who shot a closing 68 to finish in third on his own at 16-under-par and clinched his European Tour card for next season in the process. The 17-year-old holed out like a seasoned veteran as he booked his place in the big league for next term.
But it was Jimenez who was left celebrating as he clinched a long overdue win at the Alpine lay-out, and if anyone knows how to celebrate, it is the man from Andalucia!
With Manassero joining the Molinari brothers on the Tour next season, a new era in Italian golf is very much under way.
Edoardo Molinari's finish at Gleneagles not only showcased his talent but his desire to succeed. This was the way golf was meant to be. In today's modern world, sport is too much about money.
The Olympian effort of this fine young player from Turin was a shot in the arm for golf and the game is richer today for it. His inclusion in the team for Celtic Manor is nothing short of a fairytale.
Just 18 months ago, his world ranking was 650 places behind England's Paul Casey. Only 12 months ago, he was plying his trade on the Challenge Tour and now with this latest triumph, he finds himself sitting proudly in the world's top 20.
There is no limit to what he could go on to achieve and the same can be said of his brother Francesco and their compatriot Manassero.
A word before I finish about England's Laura Davies. A week after the undoubted young star of the ladies game, 20-year-old Michelle Wie completed her second career victory, Davies birdied the final hole to win the Uniqa Ladies Golf Open in Austria to seal her 75th career title!
The 46-year-old Davies was already the oldest winner on the Ladies European Tour and with this latest triumph she continues to show the youngsters the way.
Miss Wie, you have a long way to go!
