World number three Westwood finished seven shots clear of Masters champion Charl Schwartzel, with American Michael Thompson third and another Englishman, Simon Dyson, finishing in a tie for fourth at 12-under.

Birdies at the second and third enabled Westwood to be one-under through the front nine today, and he matched Schwartzel's birdie at 12 and when he picked up another at the next, he looked home and hosed.

Westwood: "It was nice to hole on top of Charl on 12 and then make the one on 13, it took the pressure off a little bit.

"I wasn't happy until I was on that boat coming back from the island on 17 with a big lead."

Schwartzel had bogeyed the penultimate hole and slipped further behind with a five at the last.

For Westwood, the focus now is on 2012 and finally ending his quest to win a Major, and he has rejoined the US Tour to that end.

He told Sky Sports: "I'm going to continue to work on my fitness and all aspects of my game. I'm going in the right direction, I can see a lot of improvement and I'm happy with the way I've finished the year, I've won two out of my last three events.

"I'll go into the winter with a lot of confidence and I'll try to come out next year playing the same kind of golf as I played this week, a little bit leaner and well rested."

Westwood began the day only four clear of South African Schwartzel, having led by 11 at halfway after following up a stunning 12-under par first-round 60 with a 64.

York golfer Dyson shot six birdies against three bogeys for a 69, sharing fourth place with Thailand's Chawalit Plaphol, who shot a 67 which was the equal best round of the day with Germany's Alex Cejka, who was eighth.