Westwood wilts but maintains lead in Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR, April 19, 2014 (AFP) - Lee Westwood survived high temperatures and fierce competition from compatriot Andy Sullivan to cling onto the lead in the Malaysian Open on Saturday by a single-stroke.
The Englishman, who boasts an impressive 12 career wins in Asia, started the day strongly but bogeyed his final hole in third-round play, allowing Sullivan to close in from six strokes behind overnight.
Coming off a seventh place finish at last week's Masters in the United States, Westwood was clearly feeling the effects of the scorching temperatures at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.
“It was tricky out there. I didn't play as well as I did the first two days, but there were some difficult flags and it was really hot,” the former world number one said.
“That's as hot as I've been on a golf course for quite some time. It was a real grind.” He had launched off with a 20foot birdie before being stifled with a bogey on the second but notched another two birdies by the 11th.
However, the Englishman scored a bogey on the final hole, finishing one-under at 71.
Sullivan steamed into second place by carding the day's best score of 66.
The 226th ranked Englishman, who idolises Westwood, was in phenomenal form with seven birdies for the day, including three in a row on the front nine.