European Tour Notebook: Six players now in top 10 of world ranking

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- For the first time ever, Europe has six players in the top 10 of the Official World Golf Ranking.

They include Rory McIlroy, who at 20 years and six months is the second youngest ever to be part of the elite group.

The Northern Irishman's third-place finish at the Dubai World Championship enabled him to join Westwood, Paul Casey, Padraig Harrington, Henrik Stenson and Sergio Garcia.

And waiting in the wings are Martin Kaymer at 12th, Ian Poulter at 13th and Ross Fisher at 20th.

Americans still occupy the top three positions with Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Steve Stricker, while 49-year-old Kenny Perry is the most immediate target for McIlroy at ninth.

Based on the current standings, European Ryder Cup Captain colin Montgomerie would be able to pick a 12-strong line-up entirely of players in the top 33, but United States Captain Corey Pavin need go down only to 31st-placed Nick Watney to fill out his squad.

From top to bottom, the top 10 now includes: No. 1 Tiger Woods, No. 2 Phil Mickelson, No. 3 Steve Stricker, No. 4 Lee Westwood, No. 5 Paul Casey. No. 6 Padraig Harrington, No. 7Henrik Stenson, No. 8 Sergio Garcia, No. 9 Kenny Perry and No. 10 Rory McIlroy.

MR. BIG SHOT: Lee Westwood's chip from behind the trees on the penultimate hole of the Portugal Masters has been voted the European Tour's Shot of the Month for October.

There was water beyond the flag, but Westwood almost holed out for eagle and went on to capture his first victory in over two years.

"I don't think I've ever played a better chip," he said, "and I don't ever want to play that one again."

Second place went to Angel Cabrera's 3-wood to the 18th green in the semifinal of the Volvo World Match Play Championship against Ross Fisher -- he still lost in sudden death -- while Ross Fisher's 50-foot eagle putt at the fourth hole in the final against Anthony Kim was voted third.

MONEY NO MOTIVATION: Rory McIlroy has never had a payday like Sunday, two checks totalling about $1.6 million. But it was not what the 20-year-old really wanted. He was looking for the $2.75 million that Lee Westwood grabbed for winning both the Dubai World Championship and the season-long Race to Dubai title.

McIlroy described finishing third in the tournament and second on the money list as possibly the biggest disappointment of his young career so far. He had led the money chase going into the final event and shared the lead after 15 holes of the third round, but from then on it did not quite go as he hoped.

"I was trying to become the youngest player since Seve (Ballesteros) to win the title," said McIlroy. "I haven't been able to do it and I'm disappointed, but when I look back on the season it's been fantastic.

"It's been a great learning curve. I've played well in the majors and I know I can compete against the best players in the world now," he added. "That gives me a lot going into next year."

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