No sooner has the 2008 season ended than the 2009 campaign begins - and with it the Race to Dubai.

The majority of the field from the Volvo Masters at Valderrama wasted no time clambering on board various planes to head for China where the new season begins with the HSBC Champions in Shanghai on Thursday.

It’s a top class field including Phil Mickelson and interestingly both Anthony Kim and Camilo Villegas, top PGA Tour players who have just paid their entry fees for the European Tour.

It is, of course, the race to Dubai which replaces the European Order of Merit which was won on Sunday by Robert Karlsson, which is generating such interest from America.

"The Race to Dubai is our answer to the FedEx Cup,” says Graeme McDowell.

“There is a massive emphasis on getting into the top 60 and getting into that massive event at the end of the season.

“It’s exciting to be involved with Dubai and be involved in a market like that right now.

“Everyone is excited about what this will mean and how it will shape the Tour. Everyone is talking about the start and these are exciting times."

Despite an excellent finish in joint eight at Valderrama at the weekend, McDowell actually slipped a place in the world rankings to lie 33rd.

Rory McIlroy, on the other hand, finished 39th but climed two places to 79.

Darren Clarke remains in 62nd place trying to get into the top 50 by the end of the year and guarantee a place at next year’s Masters.