Race to Dubai top spot is consolation for McIlroy
NORTHERN IRISH youngster Rory McIlroy will go into next weekend’s season climax as the European Tour’s leading player after finishing second in the Hong Kong Open.
The 20-year-old’s superb six-under-par round of 64 was not enough to prevent Frenchman Gregory Bourdy from taking the title at Fanling by two shots, on 19 under.
But it did lift McIlroy to top spot in the Race to Dubai ahead of the year-ending showpiece event in the Middle East, after Lee Westwood slipped off his perch with a disappointing showing in Hong Kong.
McIlroy, Westwood, Germany’s Martin Kaymer and England’s Ross Fisher are all in contention for the inaugural Race to Dubai £900,000 first prize, but the
Ulsterman, who is playing on his second season on the tour, knows he is the man to beat.
“It’s where I wanted to be at the start of the week,” said McIlroy. “I knew if I put in a good performance there was a good chance. I am No1 heading in and in pole position.”
McIlroy, who looked on course to catch Bourdy until a bogey at the 17th, added: “I am a bit disappointed at the moment but I have the consolation of going back to the top of the Race to Dubai.”