GOLF:TWO WEEKS before the Ryder Cup Lee Westwood has come through his first 18-hole fitness test with flying colours – not just physically, but also in how he played.
“Never have I been so excited about a Jaguar corporate day,” joked the world number three after a round at Lindrick near Sheffield yesterday that was his first time on a golf course since his ruptured calf muscle flared up again on August 6th.
“I was a bit rusty, but I had six birdies and an eagle – in a 30mph wind.”
Westwood feels as certain as he can that he will not only be winning a seventh cap against the Americans at Celtic Manor, but playing a full part in the match.
His fitness trainer, Steve McGregor, who has been supervising his rehabilitation, accompanied the 37-year-old and despite the “fairly undulating” lay-out allowed Westwood to play the first 14 holes on foot before insisting he ride the final four in a buggy.
The daily work-outs will continue before Europe’s highest-ranked and most experienced team member plays in a charity event at Archerfield in Scotland next Monday and Tuesday.
He plans to walk both rounds there and then will put himself through 36 holes in one day – the same format as the opening two days of the Ryder Cup – next Friday.
Ireland won the Senior Men’s Home International title for the third year in succession when they demolished host nation Scotland at Crail yesterday.
After substantial victories over main rivals England and Wales they were hot favourites to finish the job – and they did so in style cruising to a 7½-1½ victory.
An impressive foursomes performance saw them sweep into a 3-0 lunchtime lead. In the singles Maurice Kelly took a grip on his match with Keith Stimpson and Portmarnock’s Adrian Morrow was soon in charge against Jim Watt – and it was when he won by 6 and 5 that the issue was settled.
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