Special features

Rory's race to glory

Race to Dubai a 'huge goal' for McIlroy

Last updated: 13th November 2009

McIlroy: Happy with his game

All in all, if you don't play well in the majority of the rounds, you've got to be pleased with eighth I suppose

Lee Westwood
Quotes of the week

Also see

Young golfing sensation Rory McIlroy has admitted it would be the culmination of a year's hard work if he was to win the Race to Dubai.

McIlroy is currently placed second in the Race, trailing Lee Westwood by a mere �46,627 with two tournaments remaining, but he faces stiff competition from Martin Kaymer and Ross Fisher in third and fourth position respectively.

The talented Northern Ireland star currently leads Westwood in the Hong Kong Open after the first round, but it is the $1.25 million jackpot at the Dubai World Championship that will most likely decide the Race winner.

McIlroy admits he is in good form, and he would see it as the ultimate sign of improvement in his game if he was to win the Race.

"I wasn't having a particularly good week [at the HSBC Champions] to be honest, but even in the range on Sunday morning I felt like I had good rhythm," McIlroy told Golf Night.

"I went out and it was great to go out in six under, but acutally it was really satisfying to come back in three under after starting so well.

"Obviously it pushed me up to second in the Race to Dubai and has put me in a great position for the next couple of weeks.

"After the majors had come and gone, and after the USPGA, that was when the Race to Dubai became my next goal.

"This year has been all about improvement, all about getting good finishes, so obviously as the Race to Dubai edged closer everybody started talking about it.

"It's a huge goal of mine, but the same could be said for a lot of players."

Should have done better

Westwood is the man in McIlroy's firing line; the Englishman is currently ranked fourth in the world, which was the same rank he held the last time he won the Order of Merit.

"Obviously I'm in the best position out of anybody, but with two tournaments still to go it's still all up for grabs for half a dozen players," Westwood told Golf Night.

"I'm in a good position, I've played well over the past few weeks and I'm hoping to play well in these last two tournaments.

"I should have done better last week, I played poorly on the final day and shot 71. I didn't really play the easy days for scoring very well, but I did shoot a 65 on the toughest third day.

"All in all though, if you don't play well in the majority of the rounds, you've got to be pleased with eighth I suppose.

"Obviously I was fourth in the world, but then I dropped off somewhat before fighting back again. I'm digging in and gutsing it out and I'm pleased with myself for having the will to come back."