Golf Update: Lee Westwood to play in the Shell Houston Open
The World Number one player announced his participation in the Shell Houston Open which will take place from March 28th till April 3rd. Taking place just a week before the Masters; the Shell Houston Open is attracting more players and
hence having a much stronger field. This is Westwood’s fifth appearance and third consecutive appearance. This is the first time a number one player has participated in the Shell Houston Open since David Duval in 1999.
Lee, who usually plays more tournaments in Europe, has chosen to be at the Redstone Golf Club for the SHO. Where some are saying it’s just to get in form for the Masters, others are claiming that Lee might have other motives. The Final Four of the NCAA is
also taking place at the same weekend as the Shell Houston Open. Surely, Westy would be looking for tickets to be at the college basketball’s long awaited event. If the final four can draw the current number one, why can’t it attract the former Number one
as well? That’s right. There is a chance that Tiger Woods, who has never played in the Shell Houston Open before, might play this year. Seeing how Tiger has had a horrible 2010, he might just be looking for more events this year. There is no news yet about
Woods playing in the Open.
Westwood, however, is not new to the Redstone Golf Club. Last year, Lee came in 8th place and thus had a decent finish. This was the best that Westwood had achieved in all the five times he has played.
“Lee’s played the last couple of years,” said SHO tournament director Steve Timms.
“He’s been playing really well the last couple of years and moving up the world rankings. Now that he’s at No. 1 in the world, we’re happy for him and happy to have him coming back.”
Another European player participating in the tournament is the Italian Francesco Molinari. Molinari, who is ranked fifteenth right now, received a Sponsor’s exemption to compete in the event. Even though they are not PGA Tour member, both Molinari and Westwood
chose to play in the event. Shell Houston Open tournament director, Timms, said it really shows the loyalty of the players to the tournament. With them choosing to play it just before the Masters, says a lot about their interest in the Shell Houston Open.
The 144 player field of the Shell Houston Open isn’t finalized yet. With the last date to qualify being march 25th, there’s no saying who else will try their luck at the Shell Houston Open.
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