Westwood and McIlroy continue Dubai battle

DUBAI (Reuters) - Britons Lee Westwood and Rory McIlroy continued their Race to Dubai battle in Saturday's Dubai World Championship third round.

Westwood was pushed all the way again by his arch-rival McIlroy, who leads the European Tour's season-long Race to Dubai.

The 20-year-old McIlroy made up the two shots he trailed overnight tournament leader Westwood with a faultless front nine over Jumeirah's Earth course, which included three birdies.

However, Westwood then edged past his young opponent with a seven-foot birdie putt on the ninth.

Westwood had shown his determination to keep his young rival at bay by holing a 20-foot putt on the first for par and he began the back nine just ahead of McIlroy.

Both players had to bow to fellow Briton Ross McGowan, however.

Last month's Madrid Masters maiden winner, playing with Westwood in the final group, powered in front of the field, firing five birdies on the front nine.

His fourth birdie was a 28-foot putt from off the green at the eighth but he outdid that feat on the ninth, ramming home from 40 feet. It took Englishman McGowan to 12 under par, a stroke in front of Westwood, with McIlroy a further shot behind.

McIlroy heads Westwood by 128,173 euro on the money list and is looking to become the second youngest winner of the tour's order of merit.

(Editing by Clare Fallon; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)