But with the tournament also marking the last chance for players to secure their cards for next season, the tension and interest will be arguably even higher back in the field.

As things stand, the top 118 on the Order of Merit on Sunday evening will retain their playing privileges for 2008 – with their fate possibly decided by just a few hundred pounds.

There will inevitably be tales of woe, near-misses and, in some cases, delight - as the tournament unfolds on a course renovated by double US Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal.

Last season England’s David Carter approached the tournament in 120th place on the money list but produced a gutsy display to finish in a tie for 27th, which elevated him to safety – 117th of the 118 players who earned their cards by right.

Among those seeking a similar last-minute reprieve this year is Scotland’s Andrew Coltart, a former Ryder Cup player who has struggled in recent years to reproduce the form which saw him receive a wild card from captain Mark James in 1999.

Coltart, who featured in the singles only at Brookline and lost to Tiger Woods, is a lowly 169th on the money list but is 41st on the all-time European Tour career money list.

The top 40 in that category also receive a tour card, and Coltart is just over £22,000 (€31,300) behind Seve Ballesteros – leaving the 37-year-old needing to finish 13th or better.

Earlier this season Coltart shot 27 for nine holes in the KLM Open at Zandvoort to equal the European Tour record – but faded to a share of 37th and has failed to record a single top 10 in 2007.

Also at stake, higher up the money list, is a place in the top 60 to qualify for the season-ending Volvo Masters at Valderrama in a week’s time.