Lee Westwood eyes World number one spot
The new World number two Lee Westwood might be dreaming to replace Tiger Woods. However, looking at his game in the Ryder Cup, Lee might not be ready to be the best in the World.
Westwood’s performance on Monday, the first ever Monday in Ryder history, required some aid from his teammates.
Captain Colin Montgomerie let Westwood lead by example in their singles drive to win back the Samuel Ryder Trophy. Steve Stricker played very well in the singles matches and showed defeat to the very fresh World number two. Lucky for Lee, the team spearheaded
with his daring efforts in the foursomes and four-balls repaid their on-course leader and hence achieved a very narrow victory.
Westwood was sent out first by Monty in the first and third sessions because he was the most qualified player and could work his game up to the fight the psychological blow that Westwood had overcome as a player. However, after two and a half points out
of three in partnership with Luke Donald and Martin Kaymer, Westwood lost his way on the back nine in the final act. He lagged the first time in four days when he carded bogey at the par-three 3rd but still managed to lead Stricker with posting
two birdies on the next two holes.
However, his lead was short-lived when Stricker birdied the 12th to even things out. Things worsened for Europe’s number one player when the ball went into the water when going for the thirteenth hole. Steve shot an 18-foot eagle putt to win the
15th and hence win over Westwood in the singles match. Things started to look more on the American side, when Dustin Johnson also beat Martin Kaymer. Johnson, with his victory, ended the unbeaten record of Kaymer.
Luke Donald and Ian Poulter worked out as Monty had hoped when they defeated Matt Kuchar and Jim Furyk respectively. Things were kind of even for both the teams in the singles at one time, but Westwood and Donald dominated Tiger and Stricker 6&5 in the
foursomes.
The number one position was virtually handed to Westwood by Wood’s former coach Butch Harmon. "Westwood is the greatest player in the world right now", said Harmon. Now if the former teacher of Tiger Woods is saying this, it is definitely something worth
noting down.
Westwood’s affect on his seventh Ryder Cup was more than about collecting points on the scoreboard. He was the old hand and on-course leader, who set the rhythm on the field and was definitely in his best after two months of rest.
Lee Westwood tore his calf muscle which flared up during the French Open. Westwood was forced to retreat from the WGC Bridgestone Invitational and due to his injury he couldn’t compete in the US PGA Championship as well.
It was Westwood‘s notion that ‘the Americans would come out hard and fast’ be pinned on the Europen team’ locker room door. This was to keep the team focused and determined on what they want. Lee’s foursomes win over Woods was his sixth one in the Ryder
Cup. As the Europeans won on Monday, Westwood broke his seven-week booze ban as he celebrated with his team.
Westwood record singles may not be as impressive as Monty’s, but the player is now sixth in all-time European points-scoring list with 19. Nick Faldo, Monty, Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer and Jose Maria Olazabal are ahead of him.
Westwood does have a couple more contests coming and hence could improve his score. However, Lee really hopes to shine somewhere where Monty didn’t. Right now, he is as close as one can get to be on top of the World rankings. Westwood is the greatest player
known to never have claimed a major championship victory. Finishing in top three in four of the last five majors he played, Westwood is really eyeing the number one spot.
If Westwood finishes in the top two of next weekend’s Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland, then he will be the one to finally finish Tiger Wood’s five year reign as golf’s top cat.
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