Bullish McIlroy now man to catch

Only three players can stop Rory McIlroy completing his meteoric rise to European number in Dubai this week.
Only three players can stop Rory McIlroy completing his meteoric rise to European number one after the Holywood ace claimed a battling second at yesterday’s UBS Hong Kong Open.
The 20-year-old moved top of the season-long money list, the Race to Dubai, by leapfrogging Lee Westwood after claiming a runner-up finish at Fanling for a second consecutive year as Frenchman Gregory Bourdy claimed the title by two shots.
And with just this week’s new season-ending Dubai World Championship remaining, only Westwood, Martin Kaymer, and Ross Fisher can mathematically deny McIlroy a maiden Order of Merit title in just his second full season.
Fifth-placed Paul Casey has ruled himself out of the lucrative showpiece due to injury, while Geoff Ogilvy is also out of the running after a low-key display at last week’s JBWere Masters in Australia.
“I am the man to beat, and that’s the way I wanted it going to Dubai,” said McIlroy following his final round six-under-par 64.
“I knew if I put in a good performance there was a good chance. I am number one heading in and in pole position.”
After in-form Portugal Masters champion Westwood finished well down the leaderboard in Hong Kong following a testing week particularly on the greens, McIlroy leads by 128,172 euros.
A win for either Westwood, McIlroy or Kaymer on the new Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai on Sunday would secure an unassailable lead at the top of the money list, while a victory for Volvo World Match Play Championship winner Fisher would still leave McIlroy and Westwood in contention with highly-placed finishes.
“It’s in my hands regardless,” said upbeat 2000 Order of Merit winner Westwood. “The difference between first and second next week is more than the difference, so if I win next week, I win the money list.
“That’s what I set out at the start of the last few weeks, to make sure I was within the difference between first and second.”
Race to Dubai listings after the UBS Hong Kong Open (Prize money in Euros):
1 Rory McIlroy (NIrl) 2538449.00
2 Lee Westwood (Eng) 2410277.00
3 Martin Kaymer (Ger) 2332544.00
4 Ross Fisher (Eng) 2105047.00
5 Paul Casey (Eng) 2014063.00
6 Geoff Ogilvy (Aus) 1679489.00
7 Oliver Wilson (Eng) 1668252.00
8 Simon Dyson (Eng) 1525157.00
9 Ian Poulter (Eng) 1434554.00
10 Ernie Els (Rsa) 1375704.00
11 Soren Kjeldsen (Den) 1339645.00
12 Francesco Molinari (Ita) 1327863.00
13 Sergio Garcia (Spa) 1321872.00
14 Gonzalo Fdez-Castano (Spa) 1175979.00
15 Peter Hanson (Swe) 1173801.00
16 Henrik Stenson (Swe) 1134650.00
17 Thongchai Jaidee (Tha) 1128073.00
18 Padraig Harrington (Irl) 1119349.00
19 Soren Hansen (Den) 1095307.00
20 Alvaro Quiros (Spa) 1093060.00
Latest
-
News
Padraig Harrington expecting ‘serious party’ if Ryder Cup played with crowds
Harrington accepts playing with no crowds would be a better option than another postponement.
-
News
Ryder Cup qualification ‘one of the biggest goals’ of 2021 for Sergio Garcia
The Spaniard is the top points scorer in the competition’s history.
-
News
‘My best is ahead of me’ – Justin Rose motivated by winning majors, not rankings
The Englishman endured a first winless season since 2009 in 2020 and starts this week’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic ranked 38th in the world.
-
News
Justin Rose concerned about his chances of defending his Olympic title
Rose won gold in Rio in 2016 but the former world number one is currently outside the qualifying places.
-
News
Rory McIlroy on latest near-miss in Abu Dhabi: ‘I don’t feel like I played great’
McIlroy avoids mentioning final-round blues but admits he needs to get more consistent.
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton eyes Ryder Cup spot after winning Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship
Hatton carded a closing 66 to finish 18 under par.
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship as Rory McIlroy misses out
Australia’s Jason Scrivener recorded an eagle and five birdies in a back nine of 29 to claim second place.
-
News
Rory McIlroy leads the way in Abu Dhabi as he eyes overdue victory
McIlroy will have to keep his Ryder Cup team-mates at bay if he is to claim the trophy.
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton dominant as Rory McIlroy falters in Abu Dhabi
Hatton led by five shots at the end of a second weather-affected day.
-
News
Phil Mickelson on Tiger’s latest surgery: ‘I feel bad because golf should be a game of a lifetime’
Mickelson admitted he was saddened by the news of Woods’ latest back surgery.