Pelz tips Westy for major glory

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May 1, 2010

Legendary coach Dave Pelz believes it is only a matter of time before Lee Westwood wins a major.

Legendary golf coach Dave Pelz believes it is only a matter of time before Lee Westwood wins a major.
The 36-year-old finished second at The Masters in Augusta last month, three shots behind Phil Mickelson.
That followed ties for third at The Open Championship and PGA Championship last year as well as a third place outright at US Open in 2008.
And putting guru Pelz, who has coached Phil Mickelson to four major successes, believes a first is on the cards for the Worksop golfer.
“He’s been either in the last group or at the top of the field in a number of majors over the last two years,” Pelz, a former NASA space research scientist who now runs the Pelz Golf Institute in Florida, told Press Association Sport.
“I think he’s played better overall in the majors than anyone else in the world, although he hasn’t broken through. I was thrilled to see him playing with Phil (at Augusta) and I thought he played well.
“I’ve never seen a strong player drive the ball more consistently than Lee Westwood. Lee has a very strong tee shot and he’s a very good putter.
“I think his short game is not quite as sharp as Phil’s but other than that I think he’s got the entire game and I think it’s absolutely good enough to win.
“He’s been right there a number of times and with any small break he would have broken through and so I anticipate he will.”
Mickelson clinched the third Masters title of his career with a three-shot victory at Augusta to stay in contention for the Grand Slam of all four majors.
But Pelz admits bad luck is more than likely to put paid to that feat.
“I think the chances (of the Grand Slam) are fairly remote,” added Pelz, whose latest book is called Damage Control.
“It’s not good luck that he needs, he has the skill. But he cannot have any bad luck.
“And in 16 rounds over four major tournaments set up to trap you and give you the worst possible results, if you do make a miscue then you’re quite likely to get a few really bad breaks.
“Even if he’s at the top of his game he’s got to avoid the bad bounces, the chances of which in 16 rounds are probably pretty remote.
“But I think he’s got a better chance than he’s ever had before.”