Westwood defies draining Covid hangover to stay in Desert hunt
Lee Westwood is not just battling the likes of Rory Mcilroy on this star-studded Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic leaderboard, but the aftereffects of Covid-19.
And as an asthmatic 48-year-old, that is not a handicap that should be taken lightly. The Englishman looked exhausted after he walked off the Majlis Course, wiping his brow and letting out a deep sigh.
A second successive 69 had taken him to six under and put him in contention going into the weekend on what is remarkably his 26th appearance in this $8million (£6million) event. But he was clearly feeling it.
“I’m six rounds into my year and happy after last week [in Abu Dhabi, where he finished 20th] and now here because I felt I was starting off this year a bit behind the eight ball,” he said. “I had Covid in December, which led to a chest infection, and because I suffer from asthma, it really has knocked me back.
“I was two weeks on the couch, and that isn’t like me. I still feel tired now, very much so. Last week was the first time I’ve walked 18 holes since playing at the Houston Open, more than two months ago.
“It’s draining. I don’t feel like I can get as much air into my lungs at the moment.
“I’m surprised at how bad I was over Christmas and that it has run over to now. Let’s just say, I’m glad I was vaccinated.”
Westwood is in a tie for 10th in a group also containing countrymen Tommy Fleetwood (71) and Paul Casey (68). Having been second three times since first teeing it up as a 22-year-old in 1995 – when Collin Morikawa, the world No2, was two years from being born – this is a title Westwood craves.
“This is on my list as one of the ones that got away. I’d like to put that right,” he said. “Someone asked if I’d take another two 69s and I wouldn’t. I’m not sure that would be enough, and I’m only here to win.”
The world No41 is five behind South African Justin Harding, who holds a two-shot advantage, after his 68, over another Englishman in Tyrrell Hatton (66).
Then come Fabrizio Zanotti and Erik van Rooyen on eight under in a tie for third, with Mcilroy in the bunch on seven under. Mcilroy’s 66 was a fine tee-to-green exhibition.
“I certainly hit the ball well enough for it to be lower,” he said.
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