Westwood wins nedbank

Lee Westwood cemented his year-end No. 1 ranking with an eight-shot win at the Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City on Sunday.

The Englishman closed with a 4-under 68, chipping in from the fringe at No. 18 for a birdie to finish at 17-under 271 at the Gary Player Country Club.

“It was the stuff that dreams are made of, I guess,” Westwood said of the shot that nestled in the cup in front of a packed gallery.

“I didn’t want to get ahead of myself, but I knew I was playing well. It was a professional round I thought. Recently, I really felt there was a good week coming.”

The 37-year-old Westwood had led the 12-player field since Friday and was unchallenged on the final day to win his first Nedbank title in his seventh attempt, collecting $1.25 million for the victory.

Westwood started out with rounds of 68, 64 and 71, finishing with five birdies and a bogey Sunday to secure the top ranking for the remainder of 2010.

He collected $1.25 million in prize money for winning his second tournament of 2010 in his final event of the season.

South Africa’s Tim Clark rolled in a 7-foot putt on 18 to save par, earning a 71 that clinched second place at 9 under one stroke ahead of compatriot Retief Goosen and Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez.

“I had a pretty good idea what was at stake there (with the putt on 18),” said Clark, who bogeyed his first hole of the day and never threatened a dominant Westwood despite three birdies in his back nine.

“I don’t think it would have been possible to catch Lee today,” Clark said. “There’s no question he is the world’s No. 1. It’s not just points on a sheet. I think he has that belief right now.”