Westwood sitting pretty
Westwood captured his first win in over two years, and the 19th European success of his career, in carding a final round 66 for a two-stroke victory on 23-under par around the Oceanico Victoria course.
The 36-year old Englishman earned a cheque for €500,000 that sees him leapfrog from fourth to first on the money list €209,244 clear of McIlroy.
Italy’s Francesco Molinari spoilt his hope of a second Tour win with a seventh hole double before carding a 70 for a 21-under par tally.
Ireland’s Pádraig Harrington managed seven birdies in a 67 to finish third on 19-under par.
Westwood set up victory with four opening birdies but the standout shot of his round was an impressive chip from some 35 yards to tap-in birdie distance.
“All I could see at 17 for my third was trees and water, and a really tight lie but I put the shot all down to my coach, Pete Cowan, and all the work we do on the chipping green”, said Westwood. “But to go to No 1 in the Race to Dubai feels great and it’s been a while since I’ve been there because I won back in 2000.
“I said a few weeks back I needed to win a couple to give myself a good chance to win the Order of Merit so I’ve won one now, and winning was definitely a habit and I definitely got out of that habit.
“So hopefully now I am back in that habit and I can try and win some more before the end of the year.”
McIlroy went into the Race to Dubai lead at the recent Alfred Dunhill Links Championship but the 20-year old spoilt his hopes on staying in front when he snap-hooked his drive at the last into a hazard to eventually card a 66 for a share of 30th place on 12-under par to earn €24,128.
“To play as well as I played all week and then to finish 30th wasn’t the best week,” said McIlroy. “I came here to win but obviously that didn’t happen so I am going to have to play well over my last four events if I am going to win the Race to Dubai. My thoughts have been on the Race to Dubai for the last few weeks and Lee played very well.
“But I still have four big tournaments left for me to try and get back in and hopefully I can do well in them.”
Harrington had managed to pick up seven birdies but then three-putted the last in his five under par score.
“It was an interesting week but I just struggled all week on the greens”, he said. “I’d lost my confidence in reading them and hitting into them and I missed a few today. You just can’t afford to do that.
“But it was Saturday’s round I’ll look back on because in hindsight, I just got dehydrated, and that would explain a lot about my 71. I struggled to concentrate. I drank a phenomenal amount, just not enough. My trainer was watching on TV and you can see it in your face – your eyes really.”
Though Harrington, while full of praise for Westwood, has still not ruled out his chance also of a second European No. 1 crown.
“It’s good to see Lee win as he’s a friend but while I’m quite happy to see him win, I don’t want to win the Race to Dubai without playing well”, said Harrington. “It’s fine, if he wins and so be it. That’s good enough but I just have to win my last three events.
“It’d be a better way to do it rather than wishing somebody else doesn’t perform. The same goes for Rory. I just hope I play better.”
Harrington has moved from 21st to 15th place on the money list but trails Westwood by some €1.85m.
McIlroy stood on the 18th tee riding high in share of ninth after eight earlier birdies but his double bogey sent him tumbling 21 positions.
Paul McGinley was heading for his best round of the week until he also got to the last hole. The triple Ryder Cup winning star had birdied four holes in succession from the second and was six under for the round when he sent his drive into the drink for a similar double bogey as McIlroy’s.
McGinley signed for a 68 to finish tied with Gareth Maybin (74) on 13-under tally and just a stroke fewer than reigning Irish Open champion, Shane Lowry who birdied his closing two holes in a round of 70.
Peter Lawrie posted six bogeys and a double bogey in his 76 to finish on 11-under par.
Darren Clarke played alongside Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie but was outscored by the Scot who carded a 68 to Clarke’s 70.
And Damien McGrane made it three Macs in the water at 18th in taking a bogey and a 73 for a nine-under tally.
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