Rory on course for Dubai double

RORY MCILROY is in pole position to win a Dubai double this season after finishing runner-up for a second consecutive year at the UBS Hong Kong Open.

McIlroy produced a sizzling final round 64 that included an eagle and five birdies for a 17-under par tally. The 20-year Irish superstar ended two shots shy of Gregory Bourdy who became the first French champion of the event.

Bourdy’s effort, and that of Dutchman Robert Jan Derksen (68) who shared third place on 16-under par, has secured their places in this week’s season-ending Dubai World championship. They pip Darren Clarke to the €5m event, by just one place, after Clarke carded a 67 to end with a share of 11th.

But while Clarke ends his season on a disappointing note, McIlroy is odds on favourite to take out the 2009 Number One crown.

McIlroy arrived in Hong Kong €52,000 behind Westwood but his €186,000 prize purse has taken him €128,173 clear of his English rival.

The reigning Dubai Desert Classic champion first went to the front in the Race to Dubai in finishing fourth in last month’s Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland. However he held that spot for just three weeks after Westwood won the Portugal Masters.

Now McIlroy is the lead contender for a $1.25m (€838,000) first prize cheque and a $1.5m (€1m) bonus Dubai winning handout.

McIlroy’s last round included a 14th hole eagle along with five birdies but also a 17th hole bogey where the young Irishman displayed some rare frustration in banging his club into the turf after a poor shot.

McIlroy admitted: “It’s where I wanted to be at the start of the week, and I knew if I put in a strong performance there would be a good chance to go ahead of Lee.”

“I was just behind Lee and now I am number one heading to Dubai, and in pole position.

“It’s a big plus as I am going there with the lead and they have to chase me. There is only a handful of guys in with a chance to win it.

“If I can play in Dubai as well as I have played in Hong Kong, I am going to have a very good chance. Another plus is that I won in Dubai at the start of the year and it would be great now to end the season winning the Dubai double this year.”

Westwood managed just two birdies over the weekend, one on each day, in rounds of 69 and 74.

Westwood admitted: “This week was just a bit of an off week, as nothing went right for me on the greens, and I just couldn’t get anything going. I just didn’t quite have the enthusiasm and that happens when you know you are struggling to make putts.

“But Dubai is in my hands regardless. The difference between first and second in Dubai is more than the difference in Hong Kong so if I win in Dubai, I win the title.”

In contrast, Peter Lawrie one-putted the final nine greens in a round of 67 to grab seventh on 13-under par. Clarke had a birdie putt on the final green that could have sealed a Dubai tee-time but his long-range attempt pulled up some four feet short in an eventual round of 67 for a 10-under par total.

Clarke said of his failure to make Dubai: “So be it! I tried and I’ve done my best this week. It has been a poor season overall but I am proud I went out and did okay, and gave myself every chance.”