LEE WESTWOOD has taken the world number two spot off Rory McIlroy with his seven-shot victory at the Thailand Championship.

The former world number one surged to a seven shot victory on the back of the “best golf” of his stellar career yesterday.

The Briton capped off another sparkling performance with his third win in Asia this season and now moves up one place in the rankings behind English compatriot Luke Donald.

Westwood maintained the chunky lead he held from day one and put paid to South African Charl Schwartzel’s brief resurgence, carding a final day three-under-par 69 to finish 22-under on a notoriously tricky course.

Schwartzel faded to a level-par 72 to finish second, Westwood extended his four-stroke lead to seven to win with ease at the Asian Tour’s €700,000 season-ending inaugural tournament and notch his 37th career title.

Aside from his erratic 73 on the third day, the former world number one was in superb form, flirting with golf’s exclusive 59 club with a 60 on day one followed by 64 to match the Asian Tour’s lowest-ever 36-hole total.

“I’ve amazed myself really,” Westwood said after sinking his final putt on the 18th.

The win follows victories in Indonesia, the Ballantine’s Championship in South Korea and the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa and will mean he is second behind compatriot Luke Donald when the official world rankings are published today.

Schwartzel’s four bogeys meant he was never in contention and his first blunder at the eighth gave Westwood the chance to stretch his lead with some polished putting on the back nine.

With his four wins this year, the 38-year-old said he felt in better form than he did when he topped the world rankings but his failure to win a Major would make it difficult to answer critics.

“I’m in a tricky position because I’ve been so successful but not won a Major. Anytime I’ve gone a year without a Major, people are always going to say it’s been a disappointing year for Lee Westwood,” he said.