Golf: Rory McIlroy learns to keep an eye on loose tongue

RORY McILROY has not forgotten an important golfing lesson as he sets off at Wentworth today to try to add one of Europe's biggest titles to his first victory in America earlier this month.

Playing in the group behind the 21-year-old from Northern Ireland in the opening two rounds of the BMW PGA Championship is Lee Westwood, the stablemate who stopped him being crowned the European Tour's new No.1 last season.

They went head-to-head at the start of the deciding Dubai World Championship last November and after Westwood outscored the youngster 66-68 McIlroy admitted he was glad they were not playing together the following day.

It was a comment that Westwood capitalised on and, believing he had the mental edge, he strode on to a magnificent five-stroke victory over Ross McGowan, with McIlroy two shots further back in third.

"It was a very good lesson in how to be ruthless," the world No.9 said.

"Obviously, you make a lot of friends out here, but once on the course, friendship goes out of the window for four or five hours.

"I was just being honest, telling the truth, and I'll go on doing that. But I think I've learnt – I'm a more experienced player. He took it as a real one-up. I suppose you would in a way. But it was not as if I played badly or blew up."

Westwood reached third in the world for the first time this week, but for the moment can get no higher – indeed he has to finish in the top 11 to retain his position. That gives McIlroy the chance to close the gap, and maybe take his revenge for six months ago.