February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Westwood shot 23-under-par 265 that won both the event and the Road to Dubai, emblematic of the leading purse earner for the season. Ross McGowan was six strokes back in second place, with McIlroy another two behind for sole possession of third place at 273 (68-69-69-67). Padraig Harrington, who shot 274 (68-69-69-68), shared fourth place with Geoff Ogilvy.
McIlroy looked as if he might leave the field behind on Friday, when he opened with 31 on the front nine. But he couldn’t capitalize on that, shooting a birdieless 38 on the back nine. Another dry stretch on Saturday saw him close with bogeys at 16, 17 and 18. Then, he went without a birdie on Sunday until the ninth hole, where he got the first of six before closing with bogey at 18.
McIlroy finished the season second among the Tour’s money earners with