Els cannot be caught at the top of the list

It is the first time Els has topped the rankings since he joined the European Tour 12 years ago.

He takes over from last year's champion, countryman Retief Goosen.

Els, 33, has won four tournaments this year, making �2.07m in the process.

That is �500,000 more than Clarke, who would have needed victory in next week's Madrid Open as well as the forthcoming Volvo Masters to top the list.

"I feel good about being the new European number one," said Els.

"It's great to win the Order of Merit and, having spoken to Darren recently, I know how much golf he has played this year and to try to play in Madrid with all the extra pressure would have been just too much.

"My goals are to win majors and win tournaments but I have supported this tour since 1991 and it's great to win it finally."

Clarke's manager Andrew Chandler said: "The Madrid Open was never on Darren's schedule and even though he could have entered and then maybe won, competing in Madrid was never an option for him.

"He's naturally disappointed to be finishing a likely second for a third time in six years but all congratulations to Ernie, who's had a fabulous year and there's no denying he richly deserves the title."