Young McIlroy gracious in defeat

Paul Radley

• Last Updated: November 22. 2009 10:34PM UAE / November 22. 2009 6:34PM GMT

Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood exchanged compliments after the event. Jeff Topping / The National

DUBAI // As his emotional conqueror struggled through his valedictory TV interview immediately after sealing the inaugural Race to Dubai, the words of consolation being directed towards Rory McIlroy had little visible effect.

Golf’s golden child had managed to find a quiet corner for himself at the Earth Course, as he watched Lee Westwood on one of the media centre’s plasma screens.

McIlroy was gracious in defeat, but could not hide his disappointment at coming so close to winning the Race to Dubai.

“It was precious,” he said. “I was trying to become the youngest player since Seve [Ballesteros, the Spanish magician who won the Order of Merit in 1976 aged 19] to win the title. I thought I gave it my best shot. I could have topped it all off by winning the Race to Dubai. I have plenty more years to try to do that.

“Lee is just in a different class, he’s playing so well. He deserves it. He’s been through the highs and lows of this game, and he’s back. He is in the top five of the world and he is obviously going to go higher than that. He deserves all the credit he is going to get.”

Westwood’s sentiment that McIlroy has the talent to return from his disappointment last night to become European No 1 one day was a statement of fact as much as an offering of solace.

The respect appeared to be mutual. As the 20-year-old Northern Irishman slouched in an armchair, he pondered between swigs of lemonade: “Do you think he’ll buy that Lamborghini now?”

Westwood’s bank balance would probably just about permit it after yesterday.

His commanding victory in the season’s finale took his official earnings for the campaign to €4,237,762 (Dh23,130,664), the highest in the history of the European Tour.

Yet the Englishman hinted that the luxuries that were most likely to be accommodated were going to be those of his wife.

“What are the plans for the cheque, Laurae?” he asked his wife across the press conference room. “Jimmy Choo have got a sale on, haven’t they?”

The 36-year-old champion, who chose a red shirt for his final round in honour of his football team, Nottingham Forest, said the feeling of being crowned Europe’s top player this time round trumped that he experienced first time around, nine years ago.

“It was a high point back in 2000, but I was young and didn’t know what it was all about,” Westwood.reflected.

“I had just really experienced highs at that stage and then I went through a bit of a low. It was well documented and I didn’t play too good for a few years and dropped out of the top 200 in the world rankings. It has been a long way back, so I am delighted to be stood here enjoying the best day of my golfing career.

“I can’t honestly remember the lowest of the lows. I’ve tried to block it all out. I remember coming off Slaley Hall after shooting two rounds in the 80s. That must be it, because that sticks out, and missing the cut. I certainly turned up to tournaments with very low expectations.”

Having fallen so far from grace just two years after his first Order of Merit title, Westwood felt well placed to commiserate with the dejected runner-up.

Life, he contended, is not all bad for McIlroy. “What’s he got going for himself? Twenty years old. Millionaire already. Hits it miles. Nice-looking girlfriend. Drives a Lamborghini. Hard life, isn’t it?”



pradley@thenational.ae