The Englishman steered clear of the reporters after his defeat to Spaniard Rafael Cabrera-Bello at the Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday, clearly in no mood to answer questions after losing his Ping i20 Irons
on the title.

But on Monday morning he tweeted that his "16-hour sulk" was over, adding: "Well tossed that one away nicely! Carnage on the greens! Managed not to break or smash anything post round!

"Waved the putter at it 33 times. Not even good enough for the monthly medal with form like that.

"Have now given Billy (caddie Billy Foster) approval to slap me (within reason!) if I don't run the ball at the hole with pace over the next three weeks!"

Leading overnight, Westwood made the perfect start in Sunday's final round at the Emirates Club, sinking a 40-foot putt for eagle from short of the green at the second hole that gave him a two-stroke cushion at the top.

But a bogey at the fifth followed and he could only manage one more birdie for the remainder of his round as the putts refused to drop.

It was not enough to hold off Cabrera-Bello, who picked up four birdies of his own on the back nine, including a crucial one at the 17th that gave him the lead and, ultimately, the winner's trophy.

One consolation for Westwood is that his second place finish took him back up to second place in the world rankings, ahead of rival Rory McIlroy, who only the week before had taken over that Ping i20 Irons
.