Westwood aiming for second Macau title

Lee Westwood, Europe's top golfer last year, begins his quest on Thursday for a second Macau Open title.

The 27-year-old Englishman has not played much golf this season and skipped the US Masters last month because he wanted to be with his wife during the birth of their son.

"I will be a bit rusty this week, but this will be a great way to get my season going again," Westwood said at the Macau Golf and Country Club.

He said it was the first time he has been away from his son. "I'm already missing him."

Westwood won the Macau tournament in 1999 after beating American Andrew Pitts in a play-off.

"I have great memories of two years ago," he added.

Westwood had his best season last year, winning seven tournaments to dethrone Scotland's Colin Montgomerie as the number one player on the European Tour Order of Merit.

His victories included a last-round triumph over Tiger Woods at the Deutsche Bank Open in Germany.

Joining Westwood in Macau will be big-hitting American John Daly, winner of the 1991 US PGA Championship and the 1995 Open.

England's Simon Dyson, who won the Macau Open last year after turning professional in 1999, will be defending his title.

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