Spectators hamper Westwood

Lee Westwood lost his cool at the Ballantine’s Championship on Thursday after over-eager spectators put him off his game.
Lee Westwood lost his cool at the Ballantine’s Championship on Thursday after over-eager spectators put him off his game.
Playing in golf-crazy Korea the week after he retook the number one spot in the world rankings, Westwood was followed by a large crowd of excited spectators.
Three under through 15 holes, it all started coming apart for Westwood on the 16th, when the first amateur photographer forced him to pull out of his shot.
A bogey followed, but even worse was to come on the 18th.
After a tough shot out of the fairway bunker, another camera click disrupted his preparation for his 15-foot bogey putt.
Westwood snapped at the crowd, and missed the putt to finish with a double bogey, leaving him six shots adrift of first-round leader Damien McGrane.
Despite the disappointment, the Englishman remains upbeat.
“I’m still in contention,” he said.
“On the first 15 holes I played very nicely and gave myself a lot of chances without really making any putts.”
Latest
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton dominant as Rory McIlroy falters in Abu Dhabi
Hatton led by five shots at the end of a second weather-affected day.
-
News
Phil Mickelson on Tiger’s latest surgery: ‘I feel bad because golf should be a game of a lifetime’
Mickelson admitted he was saddened by the news of Woods’ latest back surgery.
-
News
Rory McIlroy makes brilliant start to fog-affected Abu Dhabi Championship
McIlroy has a remarkable record in Abu Dhabi with four second-place finishes.
-
News
Rory McIlroy shines in Abu Dhabi to take first-round lead following flawless 64
McIlroy has a remarkable record in Abu Dhabi with four second-place finishes, three thirds and a fifth in his last nine starts, but has never won.
-
News
Justin Thomas on end of Ralph Lauren deal: ‘They moved on so that’s what I’m doing as well’
Justin Thomas said he was upset by...
-
News
My last win feels a long time ago – Rory McIlroy aiming to start year on a high
McIlroy has not tasted victory since November 2019.
-
News
Rory McIlroy insists Justin Thomas will ‘try to be better’ after homophobic slur
World number three Thomas was heard using a derogatory word towards himself after missing a par putt in Hawaii.
-
News
Rory McIlroy sad to miss Conor McGregor fight
Rory McIlroy has been to UFC star Conor Mcgregor’s last three fights but will miss Saturday’s clash due to European Tour commitments.
-
News
Rory McIlroy backs Tiger Woods to make quick recovery from latest back surgery
McIlroy expects the American to be fit for the Masters in April.
-
News
Tiger Woods focusing on return to PGA Tour after undergoing fifth back operation
The 45-year-old will miss the Farmers Insurance Open and the Genesis Invitational.