Westwood wins in Jakarta

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  • April 24, 2011

Lee Westwood triumphed at the Indonesian Open on Sunday, laying down the gauntlet to Luke Donald in the process.

Lee Westwood triumphed at the Indonesian Open on Sunday, laying down the gauntlet to Luke Donald in the process.

Westwood, who started the tournament in the world number two position, will retake the top spot in the rankings shoud Luke Donald fail to win in America, where he currently leads The Heritage by one shot with one round left to play.

Westwood completed his three-shot victory in Indonesia after a closing 69 on Sunday, which also cooincided with his 38th birthday.

Leading by five overnight, Westwood made a birdie at the first only to give it straight back at the second. He reached the turn in only level-par, which briefly allowed South Korean Park Hyun-bin to grab a share of the lead after a string of birdies on the front nine.

Park bogeyed the 11th to fall back out of contention, and the biggest challenge on the back nine ended up coming from Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee, who made a significant late charge.

Westwood kept his cool, however, birdying the 11th and maintaining his lead all the way to the clubhouse, eventually winning with a 19 under par total.

“It was about coming here this week and trying to win the Indonesian Masters and I’ve done that,” said Westwood. “I’ve ticked every box this week so we will have to wait and see what happens.

“It was quite some day. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy with a five-shot lead. Park played well on the front nine and Thongchai was making many birdies.

“But I was experienced enough to know that patience was the key. When you are coming down those last few holes, the only person who knows what to do best is yourself.

“This is my 18th or 19th year playing on Tour and I still love it. I’ve always said that when I stop loving the game, I’ll quit but I still love getting on the aeroplane and playing with some of the best players in the world on some of the greatest golf courses.”

Jaidee closed with a superb 65 that gave hims sole possession of second place, while fellow countryman Thitiphun Chuayprakong finished in third. Park finished in fourth eventually, alongside Bangladesh’s Siddikur and Australian Marcus Both.

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