Injured U.K golfer will still play Open
Englishman Lee Westwood is Britain’s best chance of taking the title at the 2010 British Open at St Andrews. That is except for the crucial fact that Westwood has ruptured the plantaris muscles down his right calf. Despite the setback, Westwood says he is ready to take on the Open. Can he pull it off?
On any other week, Westwood would be a sure thing. The world’s No.3 golfer has top-three finishes at his last four major championships. Add to this the fact that Westwood has won on the Old Course Dunhill Links, and what you get is Britain’s best shot at victory in their own Open.
“These things happen,” Westwood said of his right leg being held together with tape and wraps. He played a six-hole practice round on Monday and talked with reporters after about how he felt:
"It's frustrating that it's the Open Championship. If I don't play well this week, I won't put it down to the injury. Obviously, it doesn't help. But I'm hitting the ball well, feel like I'm very comfortable on these greens. So you know, I’m still hoping for a good week.”
Westwood has been in contention at the last four major championships he has participated in, and it was looking good up until the French Open. He has been deemed ‘one of the best players never to win a major’ and it seemed that it was only a matter of time before that changed. Westwood came in second place at the Masters this year, and tied for third at Turnberry and the PGA last year as well. Looks like fans are going to have to wait a little bit longer for that victory.
“'I’ve played well here in the past, obviously played well last year, and I've been looking forward to this week for quite some time... There's a rich history to the golf tournament, especially when it's held at St. Andrews. I think it's even more special when the Open Championship is here, and obviously it's one I'd like to win."
This is exactly why Westwood’s injury is so disappointing. Few players have done as well as Westwood in recent tournaments. He won his second PGA Tour event last year at St. Judes, and grabbed top 20 finishes in all but three of the 14 tournaments he participated in last year. Westwood’s history in the British Open has never seen him place higher than a tie for 64th, however what made him such a great contender was playing and winning the Dunhill links in 2003.
"Apparently it's six to eight weeks recovery time if you put your feet up. But, obviously, with the biggest tournament on the calendar this week, I can't really afford to do that," Westwood said. "It's just a case of managing it, strapping it up, trying to keep the swelling from getting any worse and playing as well as I can."
Westwood is not in too much pain, at least not as much as he was during the French Open. He can feel a twinge during his swing though, which will prove to be problematic for his endurance. Westwood has no idea what caused his injury and has been playing golf at a professional level for 17 years.
He did admit his Achilles had been aching in the past eight months, and he might have mistaken his deteriorating calf muscles for the Achilles pain. Had he discovered earlier that it was his calf, he might have been in better shape for the Open.
Alas there are no quick remedies for Westwood, who must rest and let nature take its course. Doctors advised Westwood he could play without causing further damage and he will be wrapping his leg and ankle in tensor bandages for the tournament.
"I'm still pretty confident," he said. "My legs feel like I haven't done anything to decrease the power and the muscles in my legs. We've done tests on all of that. So I'm feeling fresh and think by Thursday, I'll be ready to go."
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