World No. 3 Lee Westwood declared he is not a ‘bully’ as he heads into the final round with a one stroke lead in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.
The England golfer cruised past World No. 2 Rory McIlroy in a third day five under par 67 to take a one stroke at 15-under par into the last day on the Emirates course.
Three players – Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher (68), Germany’s Marcel Siem (68) and joint first round one leader, Spaniard Rafael Cabrera Bello (70) – are tied in second place on 14-under par.
And for the final round of the last event on the 2012 ‘Desert Swing’ Westwood, Gallacher and Siem will be together after being grouped in the penultimate match on the third day.
World No. 3 Lee Westwood on route to a one stroke lead after three rounds on the Emirates course. (Photo - Stuart Adams/www.golftourimages.com)
Rory McIlroy, who shared the lead going into day three, remained at three under par to fall back into a share of fifth spot at 13-under par with Scotland’s Scott Jamieson (70), World No. 4, Martin Kaymer (70) and Sweden’s Joel Sjoholm (66).
McIlroy’s slide down the board also seemed to coincide with the departure to Doha of World No. 4 tennis girlfriend, Caroline Wozinacki who is competing in this week’s Qatar Open.
Westwood is competing in Dubai for an 18th time but still looking to win the event for a first time after being twice runner-up.
But with 38 wins around the world, Westwood was quizzed if he’ll be out to ‘bully’ his rivals into submission.
“ No, I don’t think I’m not trying to bully anybody,” said Westwood.
“I’m obviously trying to play well and play well on a regular basis whenever I go out on different kinds of golf courses.
“I’m also trying to lift the level of my game up, as I said, my average is pretty good nowadays. Obviously if my average is very good and I can lift my really good stuff, then I can start winning more. “
However Westwood, who will go back to No. 2 in the world with victory, stated his confidence comes from 38 wins around the world.
“There is an advantage to having won a lot of tournaments and being out here a long time for certain,” he said.
“I also know how to play with the lead. What did I win, four times last year? When I get a chance, I’m pretty good at finishing off. I’ve won 37 times. (In fact, it’s 38) so that’s not somebody that’s not good with a lead. It’s a habit.
“You get used to it. You get used to knowing what to do; when to press, when not to press, when to be patient.”
Westwood has been competing in the Dubai Desert Classic since 1994 and looking to win for a first time after also being runner-up on two occasions including 2010 when he lost out in a play-off to Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez.
If successful, it would mean Westwood would also become the second player after Spain’s Alvaro Quiros to claim the ‘Dubai Double’ after Westwood captured the inaugural 2009 Dubai World Championship on the nearby Earth Course.
Also Westwood would move back into No. 2 in the world and relegating McIlroy back to No. 3.
