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Westwood targets more Asian glory

In-form Lee Westwood is targeting victory in the US$3 million Barclays Singapore Open to complete a resurgence in his form which has seen him climb the world rankings and inch closer to a place in the European Ryder Cup team.

The former European number one was runner-up to Australia’s Adam Scott in last year’s Singapore Open and the talented Englishman will be aiming to go one better when he returns to Sentosa Golf Club from September 7-10.

Westwood sank a 12-foot birdie putt on the final green to lift himself into joint second place in the Players’ Championship of Europe in Germany recently and signal to his rivals that he was approaching his best form.

He has played superbly well in Europe recently after a poor patch in the United States started to sap his confidence. Westwood has good memories of his second place finish last year over the fearsome par-71 Serapong course and the Asian specialist would love to add the title to the others he has won in the region.

"I’ve always enjoyed Asia (and played well there)," said Westwood, who has won tournaments in Japan, Malaysia and Macau. “Singapore is one of the few places where I’m missing a win and if I can play well there again, I’d be delighted.”

Westwood added that it felt like he was competing in a ‘Major’ at last year’s Singapore Open. “Absolutely - I had that feeling (of playing in the Major of Asia),” said the 33-year-old. “I thought the tournament was run very well and it had a great field.

“We had a good golf course and had a good winner in Adam Scott. It's a massive positive having a big event like that on the Asian Tour.”

The status of the tournament has been reinforced by the five-year sponsorship deal signed with Barclays, one of the world’s largest financial institutions with a big presence in Asia, and the huge increase of prize money from US$2 million to US$3 million.

Scott will defend his title against a strong field which includes Ernie Els of South Africa, currently world ranked seventh, Japanese number one Shingo Katayama and the region's finest led by current Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit leader Jeev Milkha Singh of India and last year’s leading player Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand.

Westwood started steadily last year with two level par rounds before shooting a couple of 68s over the weekend. “I played well last year to finish second,” added Westwood. “The course was in great condition, very tough and the rough was very thick. The greens were good.

“It was a good test of golf. You have to hit it straight and be on the fairway. The greens were nice and firm which proves another good test.”

Westwood has put together a good run of results since heading back to Europe, culminating with his runner-up finish in the Players’ Championship in Germany which he led after the first round following a course record 63.

The result saw him jump from 53rd to 23rd in the European Tour rankings. He decided to split his playing time between the US and European Tours this season but after a string of great results early on in America he missed the cut in five straight tournaments.

A tied fourth place finish in the European Open in Ireland followed by joint 31st spot in the British Open at Hoylake has reignited his season.

“I started out the season pretty good in America and the past few weeks have been pretty good as well. Hopefully, I can build on these,” said the popular Englishman.

Westwood is gunning for an automatic spot in Ian Woosnam’s European team for the Ryder Cup showdown with the United States in Ireland from September 22-24 after being an integral part of the successful 2004 side.

His second place finish in Germany saw him leap back into the world’s top 50 at number 47 and he could well be teeing it up in the Barclays Singapore Open with a ticket to the Ryder Cup stuck firmly in his back pocket.

August 8, 2006