World No. 2 Lee Westwood continued a love affair with Asia by holing a 12-foot birdie putt to beat Liang Wen-chong on the first hole of a playoff for the seven-day, seven-city Shui On Land China Golf Challenge.

Westwood won in Macau for a second time in his career after capturing the 1999 Macau Open.

Lee Westwood defeats Liang wen-chong to win Shui On Land China Golf Challenge. (Photo - China Golf Challenge)

It is also Westwood’s third win in Asia this year after earlier success in the Indonesia Masters and Ballantine’s Championship.

As well, it is his ninth Asia region triump in the 36 wins Westwood has had in his pro career.

Fellow Englishman Ian Poulter, who birdied the 356-yard, par-four 18th was third with the big disappointment the effort of reigning U.S. Open winner and World No. 3 Rory McIlroy who trailed out at six-over after a unique event.

The four players travelled a distance of some 5,600 kilometres over the seven days since last Monday criss-crossing the world’s most populus nation.

Westwood and Liang replayed the 18th for the playoff and both found the rough with their tee-shots.

The China No. 1 then hit his approach long into the spectators at the back of the green and chipped close before Westwood capped off a long week with a long putt, then celebrated with 10-year-old Nathan Han, his caddy for the day.

“I think I do well in Asia because I just adapt well. I adapt to the grasses and I adapt the culture and the food. Playing world golf is all about adapting,” said Westwood who earlier this year captured the Indonesian Masters and Ballantine’s Championship in Korea.

“I’ve really enjoyed playing with Liang this week.

“I know him very well now as I’ve played with him many times, but this week we’ve been living in each other’s pockets and spending a lot of time together, so you get to learn a bit more.

“He’s got a great sense of humour and likes a practical joke. He got me a couple of beauties and I got him back, and I think that has been one of the nicest parts of the week.

“That’s what drew me to it, really. 

“It has been a bit of a whirlwind tour, very different, very interesting, very tiring. Well worth coming. I think a lot of people have benefited from it. There has been a lot of autograph signing, so I think my right wrist is going to need physio for about a week now.

“Hopefully this will add to the growth of golf in this country. It’s all about raising the profile of golf in China. It gets people involved who don’t usually get to see world-class professional golf up close.”

Liang, who led after day three before Westwood joined him on top of the leaderboard on Saturday, was proud of his performance and also in his role as host.

“It has been a great tournament and I’m happy I was able to get into the playoff with Lee. I did my best and although I lost, it was by the smallest margin,” he said.

“I’ve been able to play with three world-class players and seen how they act, how they talk, how they walk, and this will help elevate me to the next level.

“At first, I was a little shy because of my English ability, even though I’ve played with them all in different tours.”

McIlroy was heading straight to the States and then onto Bermuda in the mid-Atlantic where he joins fellow 2011 Major Champions Charl Schwartzel, Darren Clarke and Keegan Bradley in Tuesday’s start to the Grand Slam of Golf.

“I’ve got another long flight ahead of me,” said McIlroy.

Final scores in the 2011 Shui On Land China Golf Challenge. (Photo - China Golf Challenge)

“It’s been a great week and I’ve really enjoyed getting to know the other three players that much better.

“I’ve played with Lee many, many times, but now he’s on a different level and is now World No. 2, yet he hasn’t changed. He’s still the same, nice person in private.

“So it has been a real pleasure to be with these guys the whole week.”

* A very special thanks to John Higginson (Fast Track Agency) for his valuable assistance.