Rory McIlroy was in bullish mood today as he arrived in Dubai just four rounds away from being hailed as European No1.

McIlroy is the man to beat in the season climax Dubai World Championship, which starts at Jumeirah on Thursday, after his second place at the Hong Kong Open saw him leapfrog Lee Westwood to top the Race to Dubai money list.

The Northern Ireland golfer, now £115,000 clear of Westwood, said: “I knew if I put in a strong performance in Hong Kong there would be a good chance to go ahead of Lee. I'm in pole position. It's a big plus for me as I'm going into the World Championship with the lead and they have to chase me. I can play my own golf.”

McIlroy closed with a 64 to finish 17-under, two behind France's Gregory Bourdy.

Westwood never got to grips with the greens at Fanling and came in a distant 54th on one under par. But the Englishman said: “It's in my hands, regardless. The difference between first and second in Dubai is more than the difference between Rory and myself, so if I win in Dubai I win the title.”

With Paul Casey pulling out with a rib injury, there are four men in with a realistic chance of banking the title bonus of £900,000 — with £750,000 going to the tournament winner on Sunday. Germany's Martin Kaymer and Londoner Ross Fisher are the others in contention.

In Florida, Justin Rose finished one shot shy of a play-off in the Children's Miracle Network Classic, won by Canada's Stephen Ames.

Tiger Woods's victory at the Australian Masters in Melbourne means the world No1 has now taken titles on every continent apart from Antarctica. “I haven't played the Antarctica Four-Ball yet,” he joked.