GOLF EUROPEAN TOUR NEWS:EUROPEAN NUMBER one Lee Westwood insists he is back in the groove and ready to resume normal service at this week's Qatar Masters.
The world number four missed the cut on his first appearance of the season last week in Abu Dhabi after citing problems with his new set of irons, problems compounded by a lack of winter practice.
But with a new set in the bag at Doha Golf Club ahead of today’s first round, Westwood is determined to consign last week’s six-over-par second round to the history books and return to the form which saw him finish last season with two wins and four further top-10s in seven events.
“Missing the cut in Abu Dhabi did not look good for me, especially the way I finished last year as the world’s number four,” the 36-year-old said.
“But there were valid reasons. After the decision to change the regulations about the grooves I had to go out and find a new set of clubs – and the timing was not good for me because I was playing some of the best golf of my life at the end of 2009.”
All signs are pointing in the right direction after Westwood carded an eight-under-par 63 at a pro-am invitational in Dubai on Monday.
“My club suppliers Ping had provided me with another new set which were back home in England and that I had used before Christmas in a pro-am at my local club Worksop and shot a 65. I had not brought them with me because I was worried whether the grooves would conform,” he added.
“But after the problems in Abu Dhabi, for which there are no excuses, I got UPS to rush them out to me – the grooves have passed the test – and now I am hoping to get back into the old routine.”
With five of the world’s top-10 and nine of the top-20 teeing off in Doha, Westwood has the potential to land substantial world ranking points, while the remainder of the field can follow in the footsteps of Martin Kaymer, who leapt to sixth in the world following last week’s win over an equally high-class field in Abu Dhabi.
Shane Lowry, who recorded his best finish of fourth in his brief professional career last week, is joined in Qatar by compatriots Graeme McDowell, Peter Lawrie, Damien McGrane, Michael Hoey and Gareth Maybin.
But Rory McIlroy, who finished third last week, isn’t playing in Qatar. Instead, he played in a charity tournament – the Saadiyat Beach Classic – in Dubai, and will resume tournament play by defending his Dubai Desert Classic title next week.
Kaymer, last week’s runner-up Ian Poulter and former champion Henrik Stenson join the likes of Sergio Garcia and American Kenny Perry in another stellar line-up.
But with the wind in Doha unusually strong and gusting to sometimes unplayable levels, and taking into account increased rough and narrow fairways, scoring is predicted to be tough.
Big-hitting Spaniard Alvaro Quiros landed the title last year with an eye-catching display, but as he also has to contend with fine-tuning a remodelled swing, he knows a win will not be as easy as he made it seem 12 months ago.
“I am convinced this week will be for players who have an average drive. It’s not just related to me, they are going to make the course a challenge,” Quiros said.
“The cut last year was one or two under, but if it stays like this, I think it will definitely be over par this year.”
Quiros, who broke into the world’s top-50 with last year’s win, opted to work on his swing over the winter to become a more consistent player with an eye on a Ryder Cup debut later this year.
“I feel like I can win a tournament, not every year, but make it easier. Not like a top-10 player, but I prefer to be more consistent and get a top-12 every six tournaments. I prefer that over winning one week and then missing the cut the week after – that makes you feel more confident.”
Meanwhile, McIlroy and Westwood have committed to play this year’s Honda Classic on the US PGA Tour.
The pair, both under the management of ISM, will be in southern Florida for the March 4th-7th event at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens.
Qater Masters
Course:Doha Golf Club.
Length:7,388 yards. Par: 72.
Layout:Demanding, US-style course with plenty of water.
Prizemoney:€1.5 million, €294,500 for the winner
Field:Strong, but just 126.
Defending champion:Alvaro Quiros won by three shots.
First played:1998, Andrew Coltart.
Most wins:Adam Scott, 2008, 2002.
On TV:Sky Sports 1, 8-10am, noon-2pm.
Weather:Windy today, high 230C. Getting warmer over the weekend.
