G-Mac hot on Kaymer’s heels for top ranking

GRAEME MCDOWELL believes he can win this week’s Dubai World Championship and be crowned Europe’s number one golfer.

The Portrush golfer has sliced Martin Kaymer’s lead to some €291,000 in the battle for top spot after finishing fifth behind Ian Poulter in the UBS Hong Kong Open.

McDowell started the final round just two shots behind overnight leader Poulter but his challenge was undone by two bogeys in his first three holes. He did recover somewhat on the back nine, however, with four birdies.

The US Open champion was not too disheartened with his finish though, and felt there was little wrong with his game over the course of the four rounds; he also claimed he is in perfect form to overtake the German at the Tour’s final event.

“I’m within touching distance now for next week,” he said. “I’ve got to play well, simple as that. I can’t control Martin’s ball - I can only control mine. I’m going to go out there next week and try to play my own game. I have a few things to brush up on before Thursday but, all in all, I’m feeling really good about my game.”

With almost €300,000 between the two major winners, McDowell will have to finish in the top three just to have a chance of denying Kaymer. If the Irishman does come third, then Kaymer would only have to be 20th to stay top. However, if McDowell is second, the German would need to finish third and if McDowell takes the €906,000 first prize, then the money list title will be his as well.

All of which means that with a massive bonus of €1,089,000 available for finishing number one, the US Open and US PGA champions could earn more than €1.9m next weekend.

Poulter, meanwhile, has moved to No. 10 in the world rankings in capturing the Hong Kong title on his first appearance in the event. The England golfer posted an early bogey when he found a water hazard at the third but regrouped superbly with three birdies over his next four holes.

The Ryder Cup star then eagled the 13th, and despite a bogey at the last, where he found a greenside bunker, he managed to win by a stroke with a round of 67 for a 23-under par tally. The win was Poulter’s second of the year, having also captured the WGC – Accenture Match-Play Championship.

Italy’s Matteo Manassero, with Coleraine caddie Ryan McGuigan on the bag, recorded a blistering last round of 62 to finish tied with England’s Simon Dyson (65) on 21-under par.

Meanwhile, Ballyclare’s Gareth Maybin recorded the lowest round score of the day (61) to tie for seventh on 17-under par. Darren Clarke recorded a 68 for a share of 19th, while fellow Ulsterman Michael Hoey, who played alongside Maybin, signed for a 69 and a share of 25th at nine-under par. Peter Lawrie (67) was tied 47th on five-under and Paul McGinley ended his 19th - and poorest - Tour year tied last at three-over.