• The Masters

Westwood would relish chance to partner Tiger

ESPN staff
April 3, 2010
Lee Westwood partnered Tiger Woods at last year's British Open © Getty Images
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British No. 1 Lee Westwood would relish the chance to partner Tiger Woods on his return to competitive golf at the Masters next week.

Woods has not played since the Australian Open in November and following revelations surrounding his private life took an indefinite break from golf. But while many players have shied away from Woods' high-profile comeback, Westwood insists he would not be distracted by the media attention.

"I'd love to be paired with Tiger," he said in the Sun. "I don't think there will be any issues for the rest of the players.

"The only issue is going to be for Tiger, whether he is ready and whether he can handle the media spotlight - although I would imagine the press will be handcuffed as to what they will be allowed to ask him. But he still has a lot to deal with. It's not easy to just pick up where you left off when you haven't hit a shot in anger for so long."

Westwood believes expecting the world No. 1 to claim victory on just his first competitive tournament in five months is unrealistic. He said: "I would say a successful week for him would be a top-10 finish. Having not played since November it will be very difficult to go straight into what is about the toughest test of the year."

Westwood partnered Woods and Ryo Ishikawa at last year's British Open and appeared to relish the media attention, and while both his partners mised the cut, the world No. 4 finished third.

"Ishikawa had as many photographers with him as Tiger, as the Japanese pin-up boy, and I coped with that," he said.

Westwood is yet to win a Major, but having finished third at both the British Open and the USPGA last year, he is confident his wait will come to an end.

"I have come so close that I must be getting it right, mustn't I?" he said. "It isn't easy to stay patient but that is the key. My game feels good."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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