McIlroy sets sights on extending lead

RORY McILROY will be hoping to extend his lead at the top of the Race to Dubai rankings at the Portugal Masters this week – but standing in his way is the strongest field in the tournament’s history.

The in-form Irishman’s joint runner-up finish at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship last week propelled him into pole position on the money list and, with his closest challengers Paul Casey and Martin Kaymer still out of action, McIlroy has the chance to strengthen his claim to be Europe’s No 1.

He will have to contend with a deep pool of golfing talent over Oceânico Victoria Golf Course on the Algarve, however, with Lee Westwood, Ross Fisher, Oliver Wilson, Simon Dyson and Søren Kjeldsen all currently in the top ten on The Race to Dubai.