Westwood celebrates first title since 2014

GOLF

An emotional Lee Westwood fought back tears after claiming his first European Tour title since 2014 with a third victory in the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa.

Westwood fired an eagle and six birdies in a brilliant final round of 64 at Sun City yesterday to finish on 15 under par, three shots ahead of overnight leader Sergio Garcia, with home favourite Louis Oosthuizen a shot further back after a double bogey on the 18th.

The victory is Westwood’s 24th on the European Tour and his first on the circuit since April, 2014, although he also won the Indonesian Masters on the Asian Tour in 2015.

The success vindicated the 45-year-old’s decision to rule himself out of the running to be Europe’s Ryder Cup captain in 2020 as he targets a recordequalling 11th appearance in the contest as a player instead at Whistling Straits.

“I’m a bit emotional to be honest, you’re never sure whether you’re going to be able to do it again,” the Englishman, who previously won the event in 2010 and 2011 when it was a 12-man invitational, told Sky Sports.

“Still got it, I guess. Just nice to do it again under pressure and win against a couple of quality players at the end there. I can’t wait to watch the highlights, to be honest, because I hit so many good shots coming in.”

Westwood’s partner Helen Storey was his caddie for the week and he added: “It has been brilliant. She has caddied twice for me this year and we lost in a play-off in Denmark and we’ve won here. Might have to have a bit of a rethink, not least about who caddies for me, but our percentages!”

Oosthuizen needed to eagle the last to force a play-off, but a wayward drive led to a doublebogey six which dropped the former Open champion into third place.

“There’s not much more I could have done more,” Oosthuizen said. “Hats off to Lee. Eight under around that golf course without a dropped shot is good golf.”

Garcia said: “I’m thrilled for Lee. He has been playing much better this year.”