Nov. 22 (Bloomberg) -- England’s Lee Westwood won golf’s Dubai World Championship after a final round of 64 today to end the season top of the European Tour’s “Race to Dubai” money list.

The 36-year-old finished on 23-under-par 265 for the tournament, six shots ahead of countryman Ross McGowan. Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy was two shots further back.

“It means so much to me -- without doubt this is the greatest day of my golfing career,” Westwood told the European Tour’s Web site. “This is about as good as I’ve played, I’m speechless really.”

Westwood collects 830,675 euros ($1.2 million) for his victory at the Earth course in Dubai and finishes the year with prize money of more than 3.2 million euros from 26 events, the European Tour said on its Web site. McIlroy had topped the standings heading into this week’s tournament.

Westwood also moves up to No. 4 on the World Golf Rankings, matching his highest-ever spot, following the 32nd win of his professional career.

He had led McGowan by two shots after the third round yesterday and hit eight birdies today to stretch that advantage. McGowan shot seven birdies, but started with a bogey and ended with two more.

The Race to Dubai is a season-long competition for the Tour’s leading golfers. The top 60 were competing in the Dubai World Championship.

To contact the reporter on this story: James Cone in London at jcone@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: November 22, 2009 09:34 EST