New world No. 2 Westwood 1up against Stricker
Lee Westwood hit the turn at Celtic Manor's Twenty Ten course today with a slender lead over Steve Stricker. Earlier Westwood had been confirmed as the new world No. 2, displacing Phil Mickelson, who slips to Westy's former position of No. 3.
Westy can also topple Tiger Woods from the No. 1 spot in the next few weeks, but for now the Worksop-born player's thoughts are focused on victory in Wales today, and so far he's leading by example. The Englishman is 1up against Stricker, having played as far as the 9th; the pair were the first to tee off in the singles today.
Rory McIlroy had also got off to a fine start, the Ulsterman winning the first two holes to go 2up against Stewart Cink. But the 21-year-old couldn't maintain that momentum, losing the next three holes to see Cink turn things round. McIlroy is currently struggling against Cink, 1down after eight holes.
But elsewhere on the course, Luke Donald was in imperious form, going 3up against Jim Furyk after 7, though Martin Kaymer was lagging 2down behind Dustin Johnson. Ian Poulter was 1up on Matt Kuchar, having played four, while Ross Fisher was 2up over Jeff Overton after playing three. And Miguel Angel Jimenez was all square with Bubba Watson after three.
And Tiger Woods, who lost in ignominious fashion with partner Stricker to Westwood and Donald yesterday, again got off to a poor start after Italy's Francesco Molinari, who went 2up against the current world No. 1 after two holes. The other Molinari brother, Edoardo, is 1up against Rickie Fowler after one hole.
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