Westwood remains on course

Gary Meenaghan

• Last Updated: November 21. 2009 6:45PM UAE / November 21. 2009 2:45PM GMT

DUBAI // When Lee Westwood was asked earlier in the week if the lack of rough at the Greg Norman-designed Earth course was detrimental to his chances of success in the Dubai World Championship, he replied: “I can’t have everything.”

Tomorrow, however, he can.

The Englishman finished Day Three of the Dubai World Championship (DWC) on 15-under and in pole position to go on and claim not only this weekend’s inaugural DWC, but also the year-long Race to Dubai. If he does that, he stands to receive a cheque for US$2.7 million (Dh9.9m).

Westwood carded an unblemished six-under to give him a two-stroke lead over Ross McGowan at the top of the standings. Alexander Noren, Padraig Harrington and Rory McIlroy sit behind on 10-under.

It could have been so different were it not for Northern Irishman McIlroy’s capitulation on the final three holes. The 20-year-old carded three consecutive bogies to give himself a massive challenge in tomorrow’s final day.

Leaderboard

-15 Westwood
-13 McGowan
-10 Noren
-10 Harrington
-10 McIlroy
-9 Ogilvy
-8 Garcia
-8 Scott
-8 Aiken
-8 Oosthuizen

gmeenaghan@thenational.ae