Another win for Westwood
ABU DHABI: England’s Lee Westwood claimed a two-shot victory at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Sunday to lift his 25th European Tour title.
Westwood, who is three months short of turning 47, entered the final round with an overnight lead and never relinquished it, mixing six birdies with a sole bogey to card five-under-par 67 and finish on 19-under 269 overall.
His 44th professional victory at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club also meant he became the first player to win European Tour titles in four different decades.
“I can’t believe I’m that old,” said an emotional Westwood, whose latest win came more than 23 years after his first on the tour.
“Fantastic. I am ecstatic, elated and a bit emotional. Just great to keep playing well, and you know, show that I am still good enough. I was trying not to look at leaderboards. I peeked at a few on the way around the back nine.”
Westwood, a former world No.1 who missed out on the 2018 European Ryder Cup team, is back in contention for the 2020 title defence against the United States at Whistling Straits.
When asked about a potential 11th Ryder Cup appearance later this year, Westwood said: “It’s just nice proving
I can still do it.
“It was good watching last time but if there is chance to get in the team I will obviously go for it.”
Westwood’s compatriots Tommy Fleetwood — a two-time Abu Dhabi champion — and Matthew Fitzpatrick finished second at 17-under alongside Frenchman Victor Perez.
LEADING FINAL ROUND SCORES
(par-72)
269 — Lee Westwood (ENG) 69-68-65-67
271 — Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) 71-70-67-63, Victor Perez (FRA) 70-70-68-63, Matthew Fitzpatrick (ENG) 68-67-69-67
273 — Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) 69-68-70-66