News All Articles
Westwood pleased with clubhouse target
News

Westwood pleased with clubhouse target

Lee Westwood quickly had his afternoon activities planned after claiming a share of the clubhouse lead in The 142nd Open Championship at Muirfield.

Lee Westwood

"Kick back on the couch and watch them struggle," Westwood said after a second round of 68 left him two under par alongside Sweden's Henrik Stenson and World Number One Tiger Woods, although the second Test at Lord's was also on his viewing schedule.

The 40 year old had raced to the turn in 31 thanks to birdies at the first, second, fifth, eighth and ninth, before another birdie on the 12th briefly took him into a share of the lead with Zach Johnson on five under par.

Bogeys at the 13th, 14th and 18th took some of the shine off the day, but the former World Number One felt his score could be leading by the end of the day with the course drying out as it did yesterday afternoon.

"I thought one over would be right in contention so to be two under is a real bonus and it could be leading at the end of the day," Westwood said.

"The greens were a little softer this morning. I repaired a pitch mark on the second and third but that was about it as far as that was concerned. They started to firm up pretty quickly."

Westwood is still seeking his first Major title and recently enlisted Sean Foley - coach to US Open Champion Justin Rose and Woods - to work on his long game and former Open Champion Ian Baker-Finch to improve his putting.

He described enjoying a "bit of a light bulb moment" with Baker-Finch earlier this month - the pair are neighbours in Florida - and said today: "I did a lot of work with Ian, he gave me a couple of tips on getting the tension out of my arms."


Woods was also happy with his position and he too hoped the tricky afternoon conditions he had to play in yesterday would now do him a favour.

"I'm in a good spot. I'm tied for the clubhouse lead," said the 14-time Major winner.

"These guys have to go out this afternoon and obviously play a golf course that's quick and it's drying out and with a different wind so it will be tough out there.

"I've just got to continue plodding along, continue just being patient, putting the ball in the right spots.

"We're not going to get a lot of opportunities out there but when I have I've been able to capitalise and hopefully I can continue doing that."

Cabrera-Bello's position at the top of the leaderboard lasted just a hole as he missed a 15 foot par putt at the next.

That dropped him into a tie with Brandt Snedeker, who tapped in a four footer for birdie at the 377 yard third.


Read next