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DUBAI : Young Rory McIlroy fell victim to the tough closing stretch of the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates as veteran Lee Westwood grabbed the advantage in their battle for supremacy in European golf.
On the penultimate day of the 7.5 million dollars Dubai World Championship, the new season-ending championship of the European Tour, the 20-year-old McIlroy had almost caught up with the 36-year-old Westwood, before handing him a five-stroke leeway with three bogeys in the last three holes.
Cruising along at six-under for the day after 15 holes, McIlroy was just one behind Westwood when he hit his second shot into the water on the 16th, then three-putted on the 17th, and hit his third shot into the stream on the 18th for a hat-trick of bogeys.
Westwood, playing a group behind, saw his young friend crumbling, and then turned the screw further by holing a long birdie putt on the difficult par-5 18th.
A brilliant round of six-under par 66 gave the Englishman a two-shot lead going into the final day over his playing partner for the day, Ross McGowan, also from England.
The Madrid Open winner kept pace with a 66 of his own, and was second at 13-under 203.
McIlroy closed with a three-under 69, but that was good enough only for a tied third place at 10-under 206.
Whoever wins the tournament between the two, also becomes the winner of the inaugural Race to Dubai and the 1.5 million dollar bonus that comes along with the Harry Vardon trophy.
Also at 206 were thrice Major champion Padraig Harrington (69) and Swede Alexander Noren, who shot a five-under 67. Aussie Geoff Ogilvy (68) and Spain's Sergio Garcia (69) were tied for the sixth place at nine-under 207.
Both Westwood and McGowan made six birdies each without making any bogeys in what was an outstanding exhibition in windy conditions.
"I'm determined to keep enjoying it and stick to this game plan that I've got, and hopefully it will be successful," said Westwood.
"I would have taken a two-shot lead going into the final day at the start of the week. Ross played phenomenally well today. He hit a lot of good shots. Obviously, the win in Madrid will give him a lot of confidence and he'll be a tough man to beat tomorrow, since he is my nearest challenger. But there are other people there or thereabouts as well."
McIlroy was disappointed with his finish, but he was not giving up on his chances on the final day.
"I played good, so that's the way I have to look at it. It was unfortunate to bogey the last three holes. I got myself into the position in the tournament where I really wanted to be. And then the last three holes happened," said McIlroy.
"However, my last few scores on final rounds have been very good. So, if I can go out and shoot something like I did in Shanghai or in Hong Kong, I'll have a good chance to win.
"If I can go out tomorrow (Sunday) and birdie the first three holes, then all of the damage is forgotten and I can just move on," he added.
- AFP /ls
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