Rory McIlroy finished second at the Hong Kong Open thanks to a closing round of six-under-par 64 on Sunday.
The Holywood player carded an eagle, five birdies and a solitary bogey at the 17th to end on 17 under par, two behind the winner, Gregory Bourdy.
McIlroy moves ahead of Lee Westowood in the tour money list ahead of the season-ending Dubai World Championship.
Darren Clarke was tied 11th on 10 under after a 67 while Graeme McDowell was joint 18th on nine under with a 70.
Clarke just failed to clinch a place at next week's Dubai World Championship.
Michael Hoey and Shane Lowry both missed the halfway cut.
McIlroy said he was "a bit disappointed" to finish second but added that he "had the consolation of going back to the top of the Race to Dubai".
"I played lovely, really, really well. I thought I needed a low one and went out with the mindset that if I went lower than 65 then I might have a chance but Gregory obviously played very well.
"There is a lot that can go on next week but my goal this week was to win the Hong Kong Open and I have come up just short again, for the second year in a row. But I gave it my best shot and that is all I can do."
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