Rory McIlroy is the man to beat after moving top of the Race to Dubai with a runner-up finish at the UBS Hong Kong Open.

The 20-year-old produced a thrilling final round six-under-par 64, but was forced to settle for a runner-up finish for a second consecutive year at Fanling as Bourdy walked away with a well-earned two shot victory, following a conservative 67 to top the leaderboard at 19-under-par.

But with Lee Westwood struggling all week in Hong Kong and finishing well down the leaderboard, McIlroy leapfrogged the Portugal Masters champion to establish a lead of 128,172 euros at the top of the money list heading into next week's lucrative season-ending Dubai World Championship.

A win for either McIlroy, Westwood or third placed Martin Kaymer in Dubai would seal the Order of Merit title, with Ross Fisher the only other capable of winning - although he could still be caught by McIlroy and Westwood even with a first place finish.

"It is where I wanted to be going into the final tournament. It's where I wanted to be at the start of the week," said McIlroy, who is in the hunt for a maiden Order of Merit title in just his second full season.

"I knew if I put in a good performance there was a good chance. I am number one heading in and in pole position."

After beginning the final day five adrift of Bourdy, McIlroy charged down the stretch with five gains in six holes, but his run came to an abrupt end with an infuriating three putt bogey at the 17th - his only blemish of the day - which ended his challenge.

"I am a bit disappointed at the moment but I have the consolation of going back to the top of the Race to Dubai," he added.

"There is a lot that can go on next week but my goal this week was to win the UBS Hong Kong Open and I have come up just short again. But I gave it my best shot and that is all I can do."

Westwood, the 2000 Order of Merit winner, is well aware of the maths involved and is confident this week, where he struggled with the greens for four rounds, is only a blip in his recent run of four consecutive top 10 finishes prior to Hong Kong.

"It's in my hands regardless. The difference between first and second next week is more than the difference so if I win next week, I win the money list," he said.

"That's what I set out at the start of the last few weeks, to make sure I was within the difference between first and second and I am going to be that."

Despite McIlroy moving to within one stroke of Bourdy on the back nine, the 27-year-old Frenchman always looked in control and ensured his place in next week's field with a third European Tour title.

"It is great. I had a fantastic week. It is my best golf week, it was my best golf day," he said.

"I knew if I won I would go to Dubai, but first goal was to play well and win the Hong Kong Open.

"I have played well, won and I'm going to Dubai, so I have everything."

China's Liang Wen-chong also secured his place in Dubai alongside Bradley Dredge and Jamie Donaldson with Stephen Dodd slipping out of the crucial top 60.

Darren Clarke finished 11th with a third consecutive 67 but narrowly missed out on the season-ending showpiece.

In terms of playing right for next season, David Dixon made sure of his card after claiming ninth with a final round three-under-par 67, although 2005 Volvo PGA Championship winner Scott Drummond and 2004 Celtic Manor Wales Open champion Simon Khan missed out despite valiant final round efforts.

Drummond posted a final round 66 to finish 11th, while Khan's six-under-par 66 also proved not to be enough.