I’M THE BOLDEST SWINGER IN TOWN

Westwood says memories of playing with the Golden Bear can inspire him to become the oldest Master of all (and he has his son as caddie, just like Jack in ’86)

WHEN a wide-eyed Lee Westwood shared the Augusta stage with Jack Nicklaus on his Masters debut he made sure afterwards to grab the Golden Bear’s autograph.

Now the grey-flecked Westwood is attempting to relieve Nicklaus of his status as the oldest man to win the tournament.

Westwood may be 21 months older than Nicklaus was when he stunned the golfing world in 1986 but the veteran Englishman’s Green Jacket quest is no pie-inthe-sky mission.

A fortnight shy of his 48th birthday, Westwood embarks on his 20th Masters tomorrow back in the world’s top 20 after successive runner-up finishes on the US Tour this year.

What should be the twilight of his competitive career has turned technicolour.

“Jack has always been an inspiration with the way he played the game, especially with his record around here. It would be great to break his record,” said Westwood, who will be playing alongside reigning champion

Dustin Johnson (below) and US Amateur champ Tyler Strafaci in the opening two rounds.

“I still remember the first time I played this tournament in 1997. I played the final round with

Jack.

“I knew I was playing with him on the Sunday so I went out on the Saturday night and bought the iconic picture where he’s following the ball into the 17th hole with his putter and after we played I said to Jack, ‘Would you mind signing this?’

“I still have it to this day, framed, and he wrote, ‘Lee, enjoyed our round, best wishes, Jack Nicklaus.’

“He’s a legend and arguably the greatest player to ever play the game. To have a chance to break one of his records would be very special.”

Like Nicklaus in 1986, Westwood will have his son alongside him as he plots victory at Augusta. An omen, maybe?

Sam Westwood, 19, is a good enough golfer to have shot 87 and 82 – with a last hole chip-in – when the pair took a reconnaissance trip to the famed venue last month.

“It’s a special place and to get to share it with Sam is amazing,” added Westwood. “I have to close his mouth every now and again when we’re going around here, he loves it so much.

“I missed this tournament in 2001 to be at his birth so it’s like one big cycle. Seems like five minutes since he was born.

“It’s amazing that I’m old enough to have my son on the bag and still be competing in these tournaments.”

Westwood, who has six top-10 finishes at Augusta and been runner-up twice, will be accepting of his lot this week but his knowhow of the course will help.

He said: “I think it’s a very strategic golf course, probably one of the most strategic, because a slight miss can really get you into a lot of trouble.

“This week it’s back to how the course should play, fast and firm, and at its toughest. You’ll see people who have got a lot of experience around here coming to the top of the leaderboard again.”

UP FOR IT Westwood, with Sam (below), is in the mood to win his first Major and break a record held by Nicklaus (bottom, lining up a putt on his way to claiming his sixth and final Green Jacket in 1986)