Europe’s money title is still alive

McIlroy’s victory at the Hong Kong Open means there’s all to play for at the Dubai Championship [GALLO/GETTY]

World number three Lee Westwood of England retained his Nedbank Golf Challenge title on Sunday despite shooting a one-over-par 73 in the final round.

A record third-round 62 helped him to a 15-under total of 273 – two strokes less than it took Swede Robert Karlsson to cover four rounds over the 7162-metre Gary Player Country Club at this north-west entertainment resort.

“Incredible! This is a special win and my mum and dad are here to see me do it,” said Westwood after notching up the 36th victory of his professional golf career.

“I was seven shots ahead going into the final round but no lead is ever big enough. It was a difficult situation choosing between a conservative and an aggressive approach.

“Robert, Graeme and Jason came after me and made some early birdies – but I never lost confidence in my ability to win this tournament. I love playing at Sun City.”

Luke Donald who finished on five-under could have played the last round at Sun City as a history maker. Only Rory McIlroy didn’t let that happen.

Shortly before the top-ranked Donald teed off at the Nedbank Challenge, No. 2-ranked McIlroy holed a birdie from the bunker on No. 18 to seal a come-from-behind win at the Hong Kong Open and keep the race for Europe’s money title alive. Just.

With Donald still around $1 million ahead, McIlroy has to win at next weekend’s season-ending Dubai World Championship and hope the world’s best player is outside the top nine to prevent Donald topping both lists either side of the Atlantic.

That final-round fightback at Fanling by McIlroy delayed – and might still prevent – Donald’s march to an unprecedented double.