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Westwood continues impressive start in title defence

26/09/2008

Defending champion Lee Westwood is joint leader with India's Jeev Milkha Singh at the halfway stage of the British Masters at the Belfry.

Westwood continued to shake off his Ryder Cup hangover by carding 70 to lie on six-under par.

Singh is on six-under, which included a hole-in-one on the seventh, but has only completed 12 holes. He was among several players who were unable to complete their rounds due to dense morning fog which led to a third-hour delay.

Spaniard Alejandro Canizares, Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee and Scot Marc Warren are on five-under after completing their second rounds.

Former British Open champion Paul Lawrie (71) and Sam Walker (72) are another shot behind, while Graeme McDowell (75) and Colin Montgomerie (69) are both in danger of missing the cut.

Westwood, who opened with 68 yesterday, admitted he made a few mistakes.

"I still feel a bit tired, even more today than yesterday. I got off to a poor start, just dropped a couple of silly shots. But all in all it was pretty good and I'm pretty happy, "Westwood said.

"Westwood played the back nine first, shooting a one-over 37, then birdied the first three holes after the turn.

"I knew I had to play the holes on that nine strong and managed to birdie the first three of them."

Graeme McDowell, who lies on three-over par, confessed he was exhausted after last week's Ryder Cup at Valhalla.

"I don't know how to deal with this 'comedown' feeling. Lee has learnt how to deal with things better than I have," the Irishman said.

"Physically I'm probably not all there, but mentally definitely - if last week was 11 out of 10 then I'm five out of 10 this week."

Play is due to begin at 0745 BST on Saturday with half the field set to finish their second rounds.