The cheque for £15,575 which Alexander Cejka collected for a share of 12th place in the Volvo Masters saw him become the latest member of the European Tour’s Millionaires Club.
Cejka is one of ten newcomers to join that elite company during the 1998 season. A total of 76 players are now seven-figure earners in the official ‘Millionaires Row’, headed by European No.1 Colin Montgomerie.
The top seven in the Club remain the same as last year, although Ernie Els and Costantino Rocca move into the top ten for the first time at eighth and tenth respectively.
The highest new entry, at No 63, is Germany’s Sven Strüver, who was assisted by his superb victory in the Canon European Masters. Also on the way up are Ryder Cup players Thomas Björn, in at No 66, and Ignacio Garrido, who is ranked 70th.
Warrington’s Derrick Cooper finally made it to millionaire status - 26 years after turning professional while Sweden’s Italian Open champion Patrik Sjöland is just £20,530 short of the million after only three seasons on the European Tour.
Montgomerie, the six-time Volvo Ranking winner, remains the only player to exceed £7 million in European Tour earnings, and with £7,831,682 to his name, seems destined to become the first £9 million man early next season.
José Maria Olazábal became only the seventh player to break the £4 million barrier in a season in which he won the Dubai Desert Classic, while no fewer than 28 players have now earned more than £2 million over their careers - underlining the huge opportunities available on the European Tour as the Millennium approaches.
