Westwood Gears Up For Malaysia Defence

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Lee Westwood will face a number of Europe’s best when he defends his Maybank Malaysian Open title in Kuala Lumpur this week.

The Englishman blitzed the field en route to a seven-shot triumph last year, and with a solid showing at last week’s Dubai Desert Classic to back him up, Paddy Power have made him a 13/2 favourite to defend his title at the European and Asian Tour co-sanctioned event.

“I am looking forward to going back there,” said Westwood, who finished in a share of ninth place at the Emirates Golf Club on Sunday. “It’s obviously a golf course I play very well on and it’ll be nice to go back and defend. It’s always nice going back to defend a tournament.

“I think any time you pull away from a field and win by a lot, it’s very satisfying. It was great to win by a few and it’s nice to play the last few holes with a big cushion.

“I’m pleased with the way that I’m playing and if you go back to a course on which you’ve won, you feel like it suits you. Malaysia is a nice place to go play golf, even if it can be a little hot, but I cope well with sticky conditions and it will be a good week no doubt.”

Joining Westy in Malaysia are fellow Ryder Cup stars Stephen Gallacher, Victor Dubuisson and victorious captain and assistant captain Paul McGinley and Miguel Angel Jimenez.

Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell makes his first appearance in Kuala Lumpur since 2008 after a tie for ninth of his own in Dubai last week.

Twenty-three-year-old Gary Stal, named the European Tour’s golfer of the month for January for his superb victory at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, will also be in attendance.

In the past, the Malaysian Open has seen a number of top golfers like Rory Mcllroy, Louis Oosthuizen, Martin Kaymer and Charl Schwartzel make their mark, and this week should be no different.

To back Westwood, or any of your other favourites, make sure to head over to Paddy Power, who have all your betting needs covered.

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