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THE GOLF COURSE

November 22nd 2009, Dubai, U.A.E.: Lee Westwood has triumphed at the Dubai World Championship presented by: DP World after a nerveless final round 64 secured a six shot victory and with it The Race to Dubai title for 2009.

Westwood, who led by two overnight, fired one of the finest rounds of his career to take the €830,675 first prize at the Earth course that also secured his status as European Number One for the second time in his career.

The 36 year old, who wins The Race to Dubai having earned €4,237,762 in 26 events this season, becomes the eighth Englishman to have won the Harry Vardon Trophy on two occasions or more and the 18th player overall.

His remarkable final round meant he ended on 23 under par, six shots ahead of Ross McGowan.

It makes him just the third golfer in European Tour history to finish European Number One having also won the final event of the season. The last was Colin Montgomerie in 1993.

As well as being his 32nd victory worldwide as a professional and his second victory on The European Tour this season, the win moves Westwood up to World Number Four in the Official World Golf Rankings, matching his highest career position.

Westwood’s win also makes him one of five players to have passed the €19million mark in European Tour Official Career Earnings, just the fifth player to achieve this, and is the second time he has landed over €3million in prize money in a single season.

His 64 was also a new course record on the Greg Norman-designed venue.

"That’s about as good as I’ve ever played, I’m speechless really,” he said.

“I played great all week. A 66 and 64 over the weekend will take some beating I think. It means so much to me, without doubt this is the highest point.

“Obviously I had a high point in 2000 [his first Order of Merit victory] but back then I was young and didn’t really know what it was all about, I’d just really experienced the highs.

“I went through a bit of a low which was well documented and didn’t play so well, dropping out of the top 250 in the world rankings and it’s been a long way back.

“I’m delighted to be stood here and it’s got to be the best day of my golfing career. In all fairness I think that's about as good as I've ever played under this pressure.

“Hopefully there will be more, maybe a Major in the future. Some of the young players coming through, like Rory, put me under a lot of pressure so it will be tough. I’m going to enjoy the rest of 2009."

McGowan carded a final round 68, including five straight birdies from the 12th, to hold on to second place on 17 under par after a sustained charge from Rory McIlroy, who fired five birdies on his back nine before bogeying the par five 18th to sign for a five under par 67 and with it third place place on 15 under par.

"I have no complaints. I gave it my best shot and it's been a great season, but Lee is just in a different class," said McIlroy, who also just missed out on a place in the top ten of the Official World Golf Rankings despite finishing second in The Race to Dubai. The Northern Irishman earned €3,610,020 to take the runner-up placing.

"Most times coming here leading and then finishing third would be good enough, but even if I'd played well I'm not sure I could have got to 23 under.

“Lee's been through the highs and lows of this game and he's back. He's played fantastically well for two years and I suppose this is his reward for persevering."

Geoff Ogilvy finished down in fourth alongside Padraig Harrington on 14 under par while Alexander Noren ended in sixth a shot further behind.

“Lee has earned The Race to Dubai today, and I think Rory had a pretty impressive crack for a 20 year old this year. I think the tournament lived up to it's billing,” added Ogilvy.