Top 10 consolation prize for McIlroy

RORY MCILROY still had something to cheer last night despite missing out on the European Tour number one spot – he has joined Sergio Garcia as the only 20-year-olds ever to make the world’s top 10.

Contrary to initial projections, McIlroy’s third place finish at the Dubai World Championship was just enough to take him from 13th to 10th.

Lee Westwood, whose six-stroke victory denied McIlroy the Race to Dubai title, is back up to his career-high position of fourth. Tiger Woods was 21 when he first entered the world’s top 10 in 1997.