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Westwood returns to form at British Masters

25/09/2008

Lee Westwood put his Ryder Cup misery behind him to fire an opening round four-under-par 68 to finish one shot off the lead at the British Masters.

The defending champion hit six birdies and two bogeys as he returned to form after a disappointing Ryder Cup in which he failed to win a point for Europe and was heckled by the partisan American fans.

Westwood started his round superbly today hitting three birdies in the first four holes. He had a slight dip at the eighth and ninth as he bogeyed both, but the Englishman rescued his round with three more birdies. He is now only a shot off leaders Marcus Fraser of Australia and Swede Mikael Lundberg.

"I was in a good frame of mind out there," said Westwood. "Yesterday I was flat and a bit jet-lagged and even today [during] the last four holes my legs were shot but I'm the defending champion and want to win here.

"This week is a brand new week. I enjoy playing here and it suits my game and the Order of Merit is all to play for. This week means a lot to me."

Westwood is joined at four-under-par by compatriot Sam Walker, Scotland's Marc Warren, Argentina's Rafa Echenique and Dane Anders Hansen.

It was a disappointing day for the rest of the British starts with Graeme McDowell (72), Colin Montgomerie (81), and Darren Clarke (80), all struggling.