- Clubbing Down
Reasons to believe Westwood can win
Will TideyJuly 21, 2013
Lee Westwood's introduction to the majors came as a 22-year-old in the 1995 Open at St. Andrews. Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player made the cut that year, while John Daly took home the trophy.
Eighteen years and 61 majors later, Westy is still to win one. He's dominated on Tour, won all over the world and made himself Ryder Cup royalty, but the majors have yet to yield. All that could change on Sunday, however, as Westwood goes into the final round at Muirfield with a two-shot lead.
The doubts naturally loom large. But here's why he can finally get it done this time.
1. The best putter will win
Westwood leads the field on one putts at Muirfield, having taken just a single putting stroke on 48.1 percent of holes played. After struggling on the greens at the Masters he's been working with Ian Baker-Finch and has talked about an epiphany in the lead up to this tournament.
"It was more about feel than technique, gripping it more lightly and loosening everything up," he told the gathered media in Scotland. "It was good. It's a mental thing." Whatever it was, it's working.
Westwood is down in 57th for fairways hit this week. He's T62 for greens in regulation. It's the putter than has him in the lead, and it's the putter that will win him a Claret Jug.
2. He's made a change
Moving his family to Florida has helped Westwood in more ways than one. The relocation not only provided a far more amenable practice climate, but also set him up with Baker-Finch and was the venue for his recent sessions with swing coach Sean Foley.
"I'd hoped that living in that kind of climate and having access to great golf courses and faster greens and stuff like that, that it was going to help my game," he said on Saturday.
Moreover, maybe a shift in routine was exactly what Westwood needed to shift his mentality and come at the majors with greater confidence.
3. 40 is the new 30 at The Open
A lot of people have said Westwood is running out of time at 40. They might be reminded the last two Open winners, Ernie Els and Darren Clarke, were both 42.
They might also consider Westwood is in better shape than both of them, and also than his 20-something former self. It wasn't until 2008 that he achieved the first of seven top-3 finishes at the majors, which suggests he's still on an upward trajectory.
4. Inspiration is everywhere
Adam Scott and Justin Rose are just the latest in a recent glut of first-time majors winners. Just four the last 18 majors have been claimed by players who already had one in the bag, which surely helps the likes of Westy keep the faith.
Rose's win, in particular, will serve as inspiration on Sunday. We know Clarke was inspired by fellow Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy, who was inspired by Graeme McDowell. All three took a boost from the feats of Padraig Harrington.
Rose can provide that service for Westwood.
RT @oliverbrown_tel Still not sure Westwood is a 'closer'. History suggests he tends to need a lead of about 14. By Friday. > Oli get a grip
— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) July 20, 2013
5. The course is not for the taking
The R&A will want to encourage attacking golf in the final round, but it's hard to imagine anybody will go crazy low. If anything, Westwood may find a good number in the chasing pack set adrift by the time he tees off.
Steady wins the day, and Westy can do steady as well as anybody if he's in the right mindset.
