Posted By: Chris Garrett ·
Lee Westwood (FJ ICON, PureTouch Limited) fired a course record 8-under 64 Sunday to run away from the field with a six shot victory at the Dubai World Championship. The 36-year-old shot four rounds in the 60's to finish the week with a 23-under total and lead the way for FJ players who swept the top four positions on the leaderboard. Ross McGowan (FJ ICON style #52070, StaSof glove) carded a final round 68, including five straight birdies from the 12th, to secure second place at 17-under after a sustained charge from Rory McIlroy (FJ ICON MyJoys, PureTouch Limited) who birdied five holes on the back nine to finish third at 15-under. Padraig Harrington (SYNR-G style #53918, PureTouch Limited) finished in a tie for fourth.
Westwood also secured the season-long Race to Dubai and recognition as the European Number One for the second time in his career. He came to the final event trailing Rory McIlroy. Westwood's victory was the 32nd victory worldwide as a professional and his second victory on The European Tour this season. It also moves Westwood up to World Number Four in the Official World Golf Rankings, matching his highest career position.
“I’m delighted to be standing here and it’s got to be the best day of my golfing career. I think that's about as good as I've ever played under this pressure," said Westwood.
“Hopefully there will be more, maybe a Major in the future. Some of the young players coming through, like Rory McIlroy, put me under a lot of pressure so it will be tough. I’m going to enjoy the rest of 2009.”
Posted By: Chris Garrett ·
-- Thanks to European Tour reps Jonathan Loosemore and Guy Smith for this latest update!
We're all set for an exciting finish in Dubai as both the Dubai World Championship and the season-long Race to Dubai are far from being decided with two rounds left to play. Lee Westwood, who trails only Rory McIlroy in the Race points, is leading through two rounds but one of his closest chasers is none other than Rory McIlroy! The two FootJoy loyalists appear to be setting the stage for a dramatic weekend.
Our European Tour staff was onsite earlier in the week and snapped some photos from around the course.