GOLF/ASIAN TOUR: Lee Westwood began his quest to regain the world number one spot with a four-under 68 in the Indonesian Masters yesterday despite grappling with a belly putter.
It could be a memorable 38th birthday on Sunday for the Englishman, who will top the rankings if he lifts the title and compatriot Luke Donald fails to win at the Heritage tournament in South Carolina.
Westwood boosted his prospects by firing five birdies and a lone bogey at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club for a share of eighth, two strokes behind Bangladesh’s Siddikur Rahman.
Westwood, who was world number one for 17 weeks until Martin Kaymer replaced him in February, has struggled with his short game, finishing tied 11th at the US Masters, and reckoned the problem was not yet over.
“I played solidly but I was a bit frustrated out there. It has been the story for me so far, hitting it great from tee to green and giving myself a lot of chances but not taking them,” he said.
Westwood, who swapped his short putter for a longer one at Augusta, said he was still getting used to the belly putter.
“I’ve used the belly putter in two rounds at Augusta and it’s the first time I’m using it here since 2004, so it needs some getting used to,” he said.
“I’m playing well and confident of familiarising myself on the golf course.”
The day belonged to Siddikur, who claimed to be overawed after being drawn with Westwood but showed no signs of it by firing a 66 to grab the opening round lead.
“I saw the draw yesterday and was feeling a bit excited playing with one of the best players in the world. I have to admit I felt a bit shaky this morning playing with Westwood,” he said.
At the end of the first round, Siddikur was one shot ahead of a six-man chasing pack.
US TOUR:Graeme McDowell opened with a ragged, three-under-par 68 to lie just outside the top-10 after the first round of the The Heritage at Hilton Head Island in South Carolina.
McDowell double-bogeyed his second, the 11th, birdied the 13th, and dropped another shot at the 14th at the picturesque Harbour Town Golf Links.
But five birdies from there saw the world number five climb back up the leaderboard.
He was four shots behind the clubhouse leader Garrett Willis.
The 37-year-old American, who had been tempted to switch to a belly putter after struggling on the greens this season, fired a sparkling seven-under-par 64.
Luke Donald, who will become the fourth world number one in less than six months if he wins this week, opened with a 67.
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