Under instructions from Billy Foster his caddie, Lee Westwood is trying something completely different this week — and so far it is certainly working.

Risky or not, Westwood is not looking at leaderboards as he plays the Dubai World Championship, but at halfway he is two in front and on course for a £1.6million jackpot on Sunday.

Up for grabs is not only one of the richest tournaments in European Tour history, but also the Order of Merit crown he last wore nine years ago. Win the event and he wins that too.

In 2000 he was the young pretender who dethroned Colin Montgomerie after the Scot's seven successive years at the top.

Now he is the vastly experienced professional trying to knock 20-year-old stablemate Rory McIlroy off top spot in the last week of the year-long marathon.

But, despite having won 30 times since leaving the amateur ranks he agreed to go along with what Foster suggested.

“Billy has kind of banned me from it this week,” said Westwood after a 69 took him to nine under par and left him the man to catch after an amazing day of twists and turn.

“I have no interest in anybody else's game. I've never done it before and it will be hard, but I will look on Sunday night.”

One suspects, though, that he and Foster might just bring that forward if the situation demands it late in the final round.

“Looking at the board (he allows himself to do that once off the course) there's probably nobody more experienced than the pair of us, so hopefully that will have a massive effect.

“He's had a few really good bits of advice — and if it turns out well I'll tell you them all on Sunday evening.”

Meanwhile, Sergio Garcia is the only player to have made the world's top 10 as a 20-year-old since the ranking system began in 1986. But possibly only for another two days.

As well as trying to become the second youngest European Tour number one of all time — Seve Ballesteros was 19 in 1976 — Rory McIlroy's goal of reaching the top 10 this season can also be realised this weekend.

Even a runners-up finish in the Dubai World Championship could be good enough for that and if it happens Garcia will be delighted for the Ulsterman.

“I love the way he plays and I love the kid,” said Garcia, now 29.

“It's great to see him doing so well. He's been playing great all year and he's playing great this week.”

Asked about the possibility of McIlroy pairing up with Westwood at the Ryder Cup in Wales next October, the Spanish star added: “It would be awesome no matter who he plays with.

“He's going to be a great asset to the team and Martin Kaymer could be unbelievable too.

“Monty (captain Colin Montgomerie) should be very happy — it looks good.”

Garcia also believes McIlroy is doing the right thing by taking up a US Tour card next year.

“I think it's natural move,” said the Spaniard.

“He knows what to expect. He's played in America already and it's not like he's a rookie.

“If he wants to become the best player he can I think he has to. He didn't ask me, but I would have advised him to do it.

“And the most important thing is to stay with himself. People think you have to change your whole game and that's not true.”