Golf: Course record puts McIlroy in Dubai frame

Published on Monday 9 November 2009 08:56

HARD work paid off in stunning fashion for Rory McIlroy in Shanghai as a fourth-place finish at the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions thrust the Holywood ace firmly into contention for the Race to Dubai title.

The 20-year-old carded a brilliant course-record final round of nine-under-par 63 to finish three shots adrift of winner Phil Mickelson. And, after continuing his timely strong finish to the season, McIlroy trimmed Lee Westwood's lead at the top of the Order of Merit to less than 47,000 with just two events remaining after leapfrogging Martin Kaymer into second place.

But, even with Westwood and McIlroy heading to Hong Kong this week as Kaymer heads to Germany to rest and for further treatment on his foot injury, the race for the Harry Vardon trophy will still go down to the season-ending Dubai World Championship later this month. "It certainly gives me momentum going into the next two weeks," said McIlroy. "I'm feeling a lot better about my game than I was. Hopefully, it's a springboard into the next two weeks and I'm looking forward to it."

McIlroy lit up the final-round leaderboard with seven birdies and the only bogey of his round over his first eight holes. World No.1 Tiger Woods struggled to level-par 71 to finish sixth.