Lee Westwood remains bullish about his chances of clinching the Race to Dubai crown despite slipping behind Rory McIlroy.
Englishman remains optimistic about sealing Race to Dubai crown
Lee Westwood remains bullish about his chances of clinching a second Order of Merit crown despite slipping behind Rory McIlroy in the Race to Dubai standings.
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Westwood surrendered his narrow advantage at the top of the money-list after a disappointing 54th placed finish at the Hong Kong Open over the weekend.
Another fine performance from McIlroy saw him end as runner-up at Fanling for the second year running and the Northern Irish youngster now holds a 128,172 euro lead in the Race to Dubai standings.
However, with the huge prize money on offer at the season-ending Dubai World Championship this week, Westwood knows victory over new Earth Course at the Jumeirah Golf Estates would see him clinch the Order of Merit crown regardless of how McIlroy performs.
Indeed, far from being disappointed at falling behind McIlroy, Westwood insists he is perfectly at ease with the situation in which he finds himself.
"Last week was just a bit of an off week, nothing really went for me and I couldn't get anything going," he said of the Hong Kong Open from which he signed off with a closing 74.
"I couldn't get anything going on the greens and the final round was just typical of that.
"I didn't quite have the enthusiasm going out there. When you know you are struggling to make putts even the good putts are not going in. It was just one of those weeks.
"The Race to Dubai is still in my hands, regardless. The difference between first and second this week is more than the difference in the race so if I win, I win the money list.
"That's what I set out to do at the start of the last few weeks, to make sure I was within the difference between first and second and I am going to be that."
Blip
McIlroy and Germany's Martin Kaymer also know a win in Dubai would guarantee them the inaugural Race to Dubai crown, while Ross Fisher is the only other player in contention - although should either Westwood or McIlroy finish second, that would be enough to land the Harry Vardon trophy and deny Fisher.
With Hong Kong representing only Westwood's second finish outside the top 10 in his last 11 stroke-play events, he quickly shrugged it off as a blip.
"I don't think last week will have an affect on me," he continued. "I am fairly optimistic. I have been playing this game long enough not to let one week bother me.
"Ironically, I actually struck the ball as good as I hit it all week on the last round."
Indeed, with this week representing the first time the Greg Norman-designed lay-out in Dubai has hosted a European Tour event, Westwood fancies his chances, adding: "I don't know anything about the course but it will be a new experience for everybody so they will be in the same boat as I was in Hong Kong, and the odds will be slightly more in my favour."
