Now Westy eyeing the PGA title

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July 21, 2009

Lee Westwood hopes to overcome his Open heartbreak in the final major of the year next month.

Lee Westwood hopes to overcome his Open heartbreak in the final major of the year next month.
The Worksop golfer will refocus his efforts on the US PGA Championship at Hazeltine in Minnesota, which starts on August 13, having come so close for a second time to breaking his duck in golf’s premier events.
Just over 13 months ago he had a putt on the final green to make a play-off at the US Open.
He missed that and had to watch world number one Tiger Woods claim his 14th major with victory over Rocco Mediate.
Fast-forward to Turnberry and the Ryder Cup star had an, albeit unlikely, 80-foot birdie attempt at the 72nd hole to take the clubhouse lead on three under with just one group still out on the course.
However, thinking he must hole out to have a chance of making a play-off he ended up three-putting for a bogey five.
That ended his hopes and his mistake was compounded as Tom Watson, the man Westwood was hoping to catch, also bogeyed the last to drop into a play-off with eventual champion Stewart Cink.
Westwood stood behind the 18th green watching on television as Watson three-putted and he admitted he had a sick feeling after realising the gravity of his miscalculation.
But, after seven top-10 major finishes in 14 years and two top-threes in his last six, the world number 14 feels he is ready to finally get the job done.
“Hopefully it will be about four weeks till I can get over the line,” he said in reference to the forthcoming US PGA, where his best finish is only joint 15th.
“It gives me something to refocus on. You just have to keep working.
“I’m putting in the hard work and it is obviously paying off as I’m getting closer.
“I was pretty calm and collected all week (at the Open) and felt good about my game – and I still do.
“I’m very pleased with my week’s work. I played very solidly and it is right where I want to be.
“I’m feeling fairly low now but I’m looking forward to the next time.”
Compatriot Ross Fisher briefly led on the final day after birdies at his opening two holes but a disastrous quadruple-bogey eight on the fifth put paid to his chances.
The 21-year-old, who came fifth at last month’s US Open, eventually finished in a share of 13th but he believes his recent performances in majors will stand him in good stead for the future.
“Any time you can put yourself in contention is great. This is what not only myself but every golfer dreams of doing,” he said.
“The US Open was a great experience and I took a lot from that and my form going into this week was very good.”