Lee Westwood will head to the final Major of the 2008 season – the US PGA Championship – brimming with confidence following a joint second place finish in the World Golf Championship – Bridgestone Invitational and his memories of past successes at the Oakland Hills Country Club..
The Englishman narrowly missed out by a shot to fellow European Tour Member Vijay Singh at Firestone Country Club last weekend but it has only strengthened his resolve in his bid to have the impressive Wanamaker Trophy in his hands come Sunday night.
The fact that he has already tasted success on the Michigan course, albeit collectively as part of Europe’s record-breaking Ryder Cup Team in 2004, will no doubt help Westwood, who overtook Miguel Angel Jiménez at the top of The European Tour Order of Merit with his performance in Akron.
Four years ago Westwood was unbeaten at Oakland Hills, winning four and a half points out of five, as Europe romped to an 18 ½ - 9 ½ victory over the United States, a record winning margin which was subsequently equalled at The K Club in 2006.
Now, after a season of eight top five finishes from 15 starts on The European Tour International Schedule and finishing only stroke one behind the winner in his last two events in America – the US Open Championship and the WGC – Bridgestone Invitational – Westwood in understandably among the favourites this week.
“I think all those things will give me confidence,” he said. “When I get into contention and play in the last group, I feel very comfortable out there now. I've got a routine I'm going through, and nothing fazes me too much. I hit some nice shots under pressure over the last few holes at Firestone which is good.”
No fewer than 52 European Tour Members, a record for a Major Championship in the United States, will line-up in the US PGA Championship including Padraig Harrington and Trevor Immelman, winners of The Open Championship and Masters Tournament respectively, and Sergio Garcia, who won The Players Championship on the US PGA Tour in May.
Garcia was also unbeaten at Oakland Hills in 2004, matching Westwood’s tally of four and a half points meaning the Spaniard will also carry fond memories of that encounter as he prepares for the challenge ahead.
Garcia’s highlight that week was leading Europe's successful charge in Sunday's singles session when he was hugely impressive in beating Phil Mickelson by 3 and 2.
Paul Casey was another on that winning Team and, after a fine closing 65 in Akron, will also travel to Bloomfield Township with a spring in his step. “I'm looking forward to it,” he said. “I love that golf course. I think it's a great course. My game is in good shape too - I think I've got it sort of clicking a little bit better now.”
Ian Poulter was another rookie on Bernhard Langer’s Team in 2004 and the return this week should certainly give inspiration to the Englishman who finished runner-up in The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale a fortnight ago.
“The Ryder Cup was one of the most memorable weeks I’ve ever had on a golf course and it will be nice to go back and play on a course I know, that I have played well on and to refresh and rekindle your mind with those thoughts,” he said. “It is certainly a course I have a lot of good memories around.”
Likewise, Darren Clarke has hit form with his joint sixth finish at the weekend and is relishing his return to the major arena having rekindled his form in Akron. “I've missed this sort of event all year, the Majors and these World Golf Championships event,” he said after a final round of 67.
“It's been great back playing them again and I felt very comfortable this week, and this is where I want to play, this is what I want to do. I want to get more opportunities to play like I have done this week.”
Understandably much of the focus will be on World Number Three Harrington and his bid to win back-to-back Major titles following the successful defence of his Open Championship title at Royal Birkdale. Harrington was another member of that all conquering European Ryder Cup Team, finishing the week as the third highest points scorer behind Garcia and Westwood with four points out of five.
He said: “I think it is an advantage to anybody who has played a tournament of that intensity going into the US PGA because the golf course changes when the heat of battle comes on and you’ve got a bit of adrenaline. I have a lot of good memories of that course.”
