• US PGA Championship

Westwood taking the positives from Open slump

ESPN staff
August 9, 2013
Westwood was typically impeccable from tee to green © Getty Images
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Lee Westwood says he took the positives from the disappointment of missing out on the Open after an excellent four-under par first round at the US PGA Championship.

The Englishman led going into the final day at Muirfield three weeks ago before falling away to allow Phil Mickelson the chance to lift the Claret Jug.

But Westwood, ESPN's tip for the US PGA Championship, carded a flawless opening round at Oak Hill to end the first day just a single stroke behind leaders Jim Furyk and Adam Scott.

US PGA Championship

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"After the Open I could have looked on it as disappointing but you try and take the positives out of it and carry on," said Westwood.

"There was a bit of a backlash last week where I struggled to get into it but I managed to get my focus back again and I played very well today.

"If I can carry on like that hopefully I will have a chance on Sunday."

And Westwood perhaps should be a third co-leader after he missed a five-foot putt for birdie at the 13th following a 70-minute weather delay.

"I was a bit unlucky there because when I marked my ball I noticed there was a spike mark in the way," he added.

"I thought I could do with it raining a lot to flatten it out, but when we came back it was still there.

"My ball hit it and went left, but it was nice to birdie the 17th and 66 with no bogeys is a great way to start."

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