Westwood returns to best at British Masters
BY Bruce Young | European PGA Tour | 2007 British Masters | Round Four | 24 Sep 2007
It was just a matter of time before Lee Westwood won again on the European Tour and today at the Quinn Direct British Masters, he did just that. A stunning final round of 65 over the Brabazon layout at the Belfry moved Westwood from a two shot deficit starting the day to a five shot win.
Westwood put the icing on the cake with an eagle at the 17th but by then the result was all but confirmed as he cruised to a commanding win over Ian Poulter with overnight leader, Mark Foster, one shot further back alone in third place.
Westwood was building to this win after several top tens in recent weeks.
“This is the first time my kids have been at a tournament when I have won so I think perhaps they now understand what I do when I leave home on a Tuesday morning and come home on Sunday evening after they have gone to bed,” said a very happy Westwood after his round. “I’m delighted to have won here as it is only an hour from where I live and to win in England and the British Masters is very special.”
It was Westwood’s second win of the season after clinching his first victory in four years in Spain earlier in the year. It was also his 18th European Tour title, six of those coming in his heyday in 2000, although the manner in which he is now playing suggests he is approaching that level once again.
“I couldn’t ask to play any better,” said runner up, Poulter, who gets married next week. “I’ve played pretty flawless all week but I didn’t really take my chances.”
Poulter was coming off top tens in two of the FedEx Cup series and is clearly, based on his comments, on top of his game.
Foster led by two starting the final day but a bogey at the first was just the start he didn’t need. To his credit he fought back and by the turn he was still tied in the lead with Westwood at 11 under par. Foster’s chance of victory disappeared with a double bogey at the 13th and when he then bogeyed the 15th he was in a battle to gain a piece of the runner up prize.
He was unable to do that but in finishing third he completed just his second top ten and his best finish of the year. He is having his best season financially in professional golf, this finish taking him €262,000 ahead of his previous best in 2003, a season when he won in South Africa.
A large group of seven players tied for fourth including New Zealander, Michael Campbell, who recorded his best finish of 2007. Also in that group at seven under was Niclas Fasth who had more birdies than any other player this week but four doubles and two triples did him no favours. Even today was a rollercoaster for the Swede with an eagle, four birdies, a double bogey and a triple bogey.
The best of the Australians was Marcus Fraser who finished 37th, Peter O’Malley was 53rd and Andrew Tampion 66th.
Next up for the European Tour will be the Seve Trophy event between Great Britain and Ireland and Continental Europe.
