Lee Westwood has been crowned European No 1 for the third time in his career after a second-placed finish at the DP World Tour Championship on Sunday secured the Race to Dubai.
The Englishman, Order of Merit champion in 2000 and 2009, carded a final-day 68 around Jumeirah Golf Estates to finish the tournament on 14-under par, one back from eventual winner Matthew Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick took the tournament title for the second time.
Coming into the week fourth in the seasonal standings, Westwood began his final round one shot back from the three-way tie at the top, a group that included Fitzpatrick and Race frontrunner Patrick Reed.
However, Reed managed only to post a two-under-par 70 to finish tied-third with Viktor Hovland. Seeking to become the first American to capture the Order of Merit, Reed ultimately ranked third on the Race to Dubai, with Fitzpatrick second.
Westwood, who began the season with victory in Abu Dhabi, claimed the Harry Vardon Trophy 20 years after first lifting it – the longest gap between first and most recent Money List wins. After birdieing two of the final three holes, the nine-time Ryder Cup star had an anxious wait while the groups in front finished their rounds.
Fitzpatrick, meanwhile, led the Tour Championship from the front all day, carding a 68 to seal the title on 15-under. The Englishman won the tournament in 2016. With his victory, he takes the first prize of $3 million.
