Rory McIlroy insists he is prepared to take the battle to become Europe's number one to the wire after the Ulsterman lost his place at the top of the standings to Lee Westwood at the weekend.

JUSTIN ROSE was a late learner where the significance of winning the European Tour order of merit was concerned.

WITH Seve Ballesteros playing his first stroke play tournament in two years and Colin Montgomerie bidding to improve his number one position in the European Tour, this week’s Madrid Open assumes more interest.