Westwood may yet have a Major victory in him
Lee Westwood has been the talk of golf’s Florida swing with runners-up finishes at both the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Players’ Championship on the last two Sundays.
Westwood turns 48 next month, but has been having an Indian summer as he builds on winning the European Tour’s Race To Dubai for the third time last December.
The Englishman finished just one shot adrift in both high-class fields as he couldn’t quite land his first PGA Tour success since
2010.
But it still needed the very best golf from Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas – two Major winners 20 years his younger – to keep Westwood at bay.
The Ryder Cup veteran admitted to tiredness in the final round at Sawgrass, and cited fatigue on Friday after missing the cut at the Honda Classic.
But former European Tour pro, Andrew Murray, isn’t worried about Westwood’s age holding him back.
“Lee did not lose either event,” said Murray, who was working for BBC Radio 5Live during their coverage of The Players.
“Justin Thomas shot 64-68 over the weekend on a course like Sawgrass, and that takes some beating.
“People may say Lee only shot level-par on both the final rounds, but it is not easy on difficult courses, putting on quick, crusty greens.
“Winning tournaments is hard. It’s a real mental strain to be under the cosh for 72 holes, and even more so in consecutive weeks.
“Lee has the heart of a lion. It needs a special person to keep wanting to travel the world and compete.
“I played with him a couple of times towards the end of my career, so that shows how long he’s been out there.
“Then when you think of the some of the doldrums he has come through, with his putting, his pitching and his personal life, that takes some doing.
“His power has not diminished and he’s still hitting the ball as far as ever.
“But you can see with his demeanour, he’s much
calmer and looks chilled on the course. I’m sure his caddy and fiancée, Helen Storey, has had a big say on that.”
Westwood is now a strong bet to make his 11th Ryder Cup appearance at Whistling Straits in September, while he already has 44 career wins to his name.
The one thing missing from that stellar CV is a Major. Only Julius Boros, at the 1968 US PGA, has been an older Major winner than Westwood would be, and Murray is refusing to back against him.
“I’m coming up to my 30th Open working for 5Live, and nearly every year, I seem to have said I fancy Lee,” Murray revealed.
“He would have a great chance at St Andrews. So it’s a
pity that’s not this year as it’s been moved back to 2022.
“He loves the Old Course and his short game, which is slightly weaker than other parts of his game, is not as exposed there.
“I would say he has a better chance at The Open, although he has twice finished second at The Masters.
“Augusta shouldn’t suit him, being a fader of the ball, but he absolutely loves the place.
“Watching Lee should give inspiration to a lot of amateur golfers, who think they can’t stay as fit and play as well as in their younger days. They can.
“It only takes a little bit of exercise to get a bit more power and flexibility. That can make a massive difference to your game.”