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Westwood triumphs in Dubai

Author: Brandon Barker
Date: 23/11/2009
Golf betting

England's Lee Westwood has been crowned as the number one golfer in Europe after winning the Dubai World Championship to top the Order of Merit.

The 36-year-old shot a flawless course record 64 on the final day on the Earth Course of the Jumeirah Golf Estates to finish on 23-under par, securing his second European crown nine years after his first.

Westwood had led the field by two shots going into round four and was never threatened as he recorded eight birdies and no bogeys to finish six shots clear of the field.

Another Englishman, Ross McGowan, finished second after shooting 68, while Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy impressed with a 67 in finishing third.

McIlroy had headed the money list going into the season finale, but was unable to protect that lead due to Westwood's outstanding display.

Can Lee Westwood move on to secure a Major title? - Latest Golf Betting

England cricket captain Andrew Strauss believes that he is right to sit out his side's international Twenty20 matches so that he can concentrate on the longer forms of the game.

The 32-year-old left-hander has opted out of recent T20 action and insists that that is the right approach to keep him fresh for one-day internationals and Test matches.

He told PA Sport: "Never say never, but, at this stage, I've got no plans to play Twenty20 cricket."

Bayern Munich's general manager Uli Hoeness has confirmed that Chelsea made a summer bid of 65million euros plus Jose Bosingwa for the German club's French ace Franck Ribery.

Bayern stood firm in the face of interest from a number of clubs for the talented 26-year-old forward and Hoeness insists that that position will remain in the future.

He told Bild: "We never received an offer over 100million. The best bid game from Chelsea: 65million plus Bosingwa."

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill was delighted to see summer signing Stewart Downing finally make his debut for the club in the 1-1 draw at Burnley.

The 25-year-old England winger has spent the first few months of his Villa career recovering from a foot injury, but was fit enough to come on for the final 20 minutes at Turf Moor on Saturday.

O'Neill told the club's official website: "I think it is a big plus for him to get on to the field of play."

Scotland's rugby union head coach Andy Robinson was elated after seeing his Scotland side clinch a famous 9-8 victory over Australia at Murrayfield.

Matt Giteau's conversion failure in the final minute proved decisive, as Robinson's men edged home in a tight, nervy encounter.

Afterwards, Robinson commented: "I've said to the team that is the most courageous performance I've ever been involved in.

"The effort that has been put in, the way the team got off the floor and defended was incredible."

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