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Golf

Course record sees Westwood off to a flyer

27/07/2006

Lee Westwood has enjoyed a timely return to form on the opening day of the Deutsche Bank Players' Championship in Hamburg.

The English golfer, desperately in need of Ryder Cup points to secure his participation at the K Club, shot a course record nine-under-par 63 en route to the clubhouse lead.

Retief Goosen and Robert Karlsson share second place one shot back but it is Westwood's faultless round that has stolen all the plaudits.

"I'm delighted," the former European number one said. "I played okay in the final round of the French Open and carried it over to the European Open where I finished fourth. The last two weeks I played quite well and it's just a case of building up my confidence."

Westwood is currently ranked 20th in the European Ryder Cup list having amassed only 87.63 points during a disappointing season.

A win this week could lift him to 12th place and within touching distance of making the cut and he admits this is driving him on.

"That's all I'm concentrating on at the moment," he insisted. "If I get a win under my belt that will push me into the reckoning and I am very keen to play."

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