Rory targets Westwood and a place in history
RORY MCILROY has Lee Westwood in his sights as he bids to become the youngest ever No1 in European Tour history.
With two events to play, the 20-year-old lies second, just €52,321 behind Westwood, in the Race To Dubai rankings after his brilliant fourth place finish at the WGC-HSBC Champions event in Shanghai last week.
McIlroy has carded four top-10 finishes in his last five stroke-play events and can leapfrog Westwood to the top of the standings with a good finish at this week’s Hong Kong Open – an event he narrowly missed out on winning last year. And the Irishman is confident he can pip the world No4 at the last hurdle and create history.
“These two weeks are going to be very good,” said McIlroy, ranked 17 in the world. “Hong Kong I love coming to. It’s my fifth year coming here – twice as an amateur and then this is my third Hong Kong Open. I love the city and golf course. It is one of my favourite weeks of the year.
“Winning this event will take care of catching Lee so that’s what I am focusing on. I’ll be keeping an eye on his scores all week.”