Westwood’s tears of joy after ending long title drought
Englishman’s closing 64 seals first win since 2015 Success in South Africa revives Masters hopes
Lee Westwood wiped away the tears after rolling back the years yesterday. The former world No 1 shot a brilliant 64 to lift the Nedbank Challenge in Sun City, his first win in 3½ years.
This was no ordinary comeback win from the 45-year-old. Not only was the European Tour event part of the elite Rolex Series, boasting a near £1 million first prize, but Westwood had to hold off two major winners to prevail at the Gary Player Country Club.
However, Sergio Garcia and Louis Oosthuizen could not live with the inspired Englishman as he reeled off an eagle and six birdies and remained bogeyless, despite the swirling winds. Westwood looked his old ruthless self down the stretch, birdieing five of the last eight holes to beat Garcia by three strokes to collect his 24th Tour title and 43rd worldwide.
Westwood had not tasted victory since the Indonesian Masters in 2015 and on the European Tour since the Malaysian Masters the previous year, and he was plainly choked up. “I’m a bit emotional to be honest, you’re never sure whether you’re going to be able to do it again,” Westwood said.
“Still got it, I guess. It’s just nice to do it again under pressure and win against a couple of quality players at the end there. I can’t wait to watch the highlights to be honest, because I hit so many good shots coming in.”
What made it all the more remarkable was that Westwood did his own yardages. His partner, Helen Storey, was on the bag and normally she would be due roughly a £100,000 cut of the winnings. “It’s been brilliant,” Westwood said. “She’s caddied twice for me this year and we lost in a play-off in Denmark and we’ve won here.
“I might have to have a bit of a rethink, not least about who caddies for me, but our percentages.”
Westwood might have to reconsider a few issues as well, not least his schedule. This effectively secured his place in next year’s Open at Royal Portrush and, as he has risen from 119th to 64th in the world, a return to the Masters comes into tantalising focus.
This year was the first time he was absent from Augusta in 14 years, but if he can make up just 14 more places in the rankings before the end of the year, he will receive an invitation.
Westwood is playing in this week’s DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, the Tour’s seasonender, and certainly his form is good enough to compete. He had enjoyed two top-fives in his previous six events going into Sun City and his ball-striking appears to be returning to its pomp.
“You have to give credit to Lee,” Garcia said after his 70. “To shoot 64 in the last round, I mean, it’s not that easy. I’m thrilled for him. He had a bad Ryder Cup at Hazeltine [in 2016] and he struggled a little bit, but he’s been playing much better this year. He’s been knocking on the door for winning. He played well in Valderrama. I wish I would have won myself, but if not, obviously to see Lee do it is pretty nice.”
Oosthuizen finished in third on 11 under after a 69, with another Englishman in Ross Fisher a further three back in fourth after a 70.
Rory Mcilroy could do no better than a tie for 21st on one under and that means the Race to Dubai finale is a two-horse race. Tommy Fleetwood needs to win the DP World Tour Championship to have any chance of denying his Ryder Cup partner, Francesco Molinari, the Harry Vardon Trophy.