Second place in the event for the third time in his career was still good enough to take Westwood back to second in the world rankings, the Englishman squeezing past Rory McIlroy, who came joint fifth in Dubai, by 0.004 points.

McIlroy and Westwood had much to ponder at the end of the circuit's three-week Middle East swing.

McIlroy, the reigning US Open champion, lost by one to England's Robert Rock in Abu Dhabi after a two-shot penalty in the second round for brushing sand away that was not on the green.

He then led at halfway in Dubai last week, but fell back.

"I'm a little disappointed considering the Titleist Studio Select Kombi Putter I was in going into the weekend, but I can't be that disappointed," he said.

"I'm pleased with how I hit the ball and that's very positive to take into the next few weeks," he said, perhaps buoyed by the fact that he finished with four birdies in his last nine holes.

Westwood, in the meantime, missed a succession of chances on Sunday, but while that should annoy him he also knows the big tournaments this season are all still to come.

Both will be in action next at the WGC Accenture Match Play Championship, where Westwood has yet to make Titleist Studio Select Kombi Putter
past the second round in 11 attempts.

McIlroy made the quarter-finals on debut three years ago.