Westwood retains title with closing 66

Lee Westwood shows off his European Open trophy, his third win in six starts. Allsport

Lee Westwood retained the Smurfit European Open by a single shot after a wonderful final round of five-under par at the K-Club in Dublin.

The 27-year-old British star started the day a shot behind Argentinian leader Angel Cabrera, but got off to a flyer, hitting four birdies in the first six holes to storm into a three-shot lead.

As conditions worsened – the rain pounding down – just hitting par was tricky, yet Westwood made it look easy. He birdied the par-five tenth, but struggled on the next and dropped his first shot of the round.

Two shots ahead of Cabrera and Swede Per-Ulrik Johansson with just two holes to play, the victory seemed secure for the Worsop ace, but a bogie on the difficult 17th set up a tense finish.

After Westwood secured a par on the final hole, both Johansson, winner here in 1996 and 1997, and Cabrera, had putts to tie the lead. Both missed, handing the Ryder Cup star his second win in three weeks.

After the win, Westwood admitted that his improved attitude is the key to his improved form. He said: "I've been working on staying relaxed and it seems to be working.

"I'm on a good run and I think it's something to do with my attitude. Things change quickly in this game, but I'm on an up and I'm just trying to ride it for a while."

Cabrera must have felt hard-done-by after hitting an impressive round of 68 in the belting Irish rain – and still ending up a shot off the pace.

However, Colin Montgomerie was never in contention going round at level par, finishing the tournament eight shots behind.

Spare a thought also for Ryder Cup star Jean van de Velde. His preparations for the Open, which he lost in such spectacular fashion last year, have gone from bad to worse.

The Frenchman followed his third round 79 with a five-over-par 77, finishing at 14-over-par – 25 shots behind the leader.

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