STILL IN WITH A SHOT
Westwood gets the hang of it in bid to become the oldest winner in history
LEE WESTWOOD plans to “hang around” at the US Open as he bids to win his first Major at the 83rd attempt.
The Ryder Cup veteran followed his opening 67 with a six-over-par 76 as Winged Foot bit back yesterday. But with scores soaring in the north wind, Westwood is only three over par after 36 holes.
Geoff Ogilvy won with a score of five over par the last time the US Open was staged on the fearsome New York track in 2006.
And Westwood, third in 2008 and 2011, insisted he will still be in contention to become the oldest US Open winner with a solid third round today. “You never know what’s going to happen in US Opens,” said the 47-year-old. “I just think you’ve got to hang around.
“Ideally you don’t want a run where you drop four shots in three holes, but three over is by no means out of it. Then you’ve got to play solid over the weekend and see what happens.
“I shot three under yesterday. I’m capable of shooting three under again if I play well and that will get me back to level for the final day. I’m sure it wouldn’t be far off even par winning this tournament.”
Hale Irwin is the oldest winner of the US Open – he was 45 when he won the title back in 1990.
Westwood bogeyed the
Westwood refuses to give up on his dream despite a few bogeys at the US Open yesterday
first two holes but was still under par for the tournament on the 16th tee before finishing double bogey, bogey, bogey.
“I didn’t quite play so well today and I’m disappointed to finish like that,” he said.
The former world No. 1 skipped the
US PGA over Covid-19 concerns and instead played d three events on the European pean Tour’s UK Swing, including hosting the Betfred British Masters.
He registered his first top- 10 finish since lockdown at the Andalucia Masters after a closing 67.
Westwood said: “I didn’t really ha v e any expectations coming here. “I played well in the last round at Valderrama so know I’m hitting the ball well and playing well. Now I’m just looking for a f ew de c e n t breaks and hope I make a few putts.” World No.9 Bryson DeC Chambe au (l ( left) carded the best early score with a 68 to move to three under par. He said: “I feel great. Confidence is at an all-time high right. I’m driving it well, my iron play is fantastic, my wedging is getting better, and I’m putting it like I know I can. So I’m very happy.”
Thomas Pieters, who opened with a 66, briefly took the tournament lead when he made two early birdies to move to six under par before fading to a 74 to sit on level par.
His former Ryder Cup team-mate Rafa Cabrera Bello followed his opening 68 with a 70. “It’s a tournament I do like,” said the Spaniard. “I tend to be a grinder.”
The Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open will allow 650 spectators a day over the weekend as a pilot event for the return of fans to the European Tour. The event is from October 1-4 at The Renaissance Club in East Lothian.