England’s Lee Westwood still believes he can land a first Major Championship at the 59thattempt after a third round 73 at the Masters Tournament left him five behind heading into the final 18 holes.
The 39 year old dropped shots at the fourth and seventh, birdied the ninth then parred every hole on the back nine to lie two under par; five adrift of American Brandt Snedeker and Argentina’s Angel Cabrera.
Westwood has not been out of the top 15 in his last three appearances at Augusta National but knows he will need something special in the final round to take the Green Jacket.
“It felt very hard work, I thought it was tricky out there,” said The Ryder Cup star. “The greens are significantly firmer as they always are for the weekend at Augusta and there are a few tough flags out there.
“I could have shot under par but didn’t make enough of the par fives. Not birdieing two; eight was the easiest flag of the week, didn’t birdie that, then hit two great drives – I’ve gone in with a six iron at 13 and right in the middle of the fairway at 15 as well and didn’t make birdie there and that’s the reason I’ve rolled a 70 into a 73.
“My chances are still pretty good. It’s easy to pick up a few shots round this golf course and I’ve still got a good chance, I think.”
