Westwood Takes the Lead in Dubai
November 20, 2009 by Jeff Greenwell
Filed under Golf
They say money is a great motivator, and they would be right. Just ask Lee Westwood, the new leader at the Dubai World Championship. Westwood fired a 3-under 69 to take a two stroke lead at the tournament, with a bunch of players behind him at 7-under, including Rory McIlroy, the 20-year-old wunderkind whom Westwood is chasing for the European Tour money title. The money title winner receives a $1.5 million bonus–how’s that for motivation.
Lee Westwood (Image: Zuma Press)
McIlroy briefly held the lead at 9-under himself, after making the turn in 31, thanks in large part to an eagle on No. 7. But the Irishman gave it back on the second nine, blowing two putts inside three feet on the 14th and 15th to save par.
Westwood doesn’t lack for confidence. He firmly believes he can with both the tournament, as well as the money title. If he continues playing the way he did today, it won’t just be a belief, it’ll be fact.
