• The Open

Rough and ready Open suits Westwood

ESPN staff
July 18, 2012
Lee Westwood is looking to end his major drought © PA Photos
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Lee Westwood has no issues with the controversial rough at Royal Lytham & St Annes, insisting players deserve to be punished for hitting the ball off line.

The players arrived at Lytham for the Open Championship on the back of one of the wettest summers in years and as such the normal wispy grass has been replaced in parts by lush patches of thick grass.

It has been described by Tiger Woods as "unplayable" in parts and Westwood feels there may be occasions when the best option is to take a drop. But it is not something he is overly perturbed by as he says it will not affect the players who hit the ball in the fairways.

"This is a tough test, as Lytham always is," Westwood said. "They have changed a par five to a par four, so the scoring is going to be a bit higher. They have lengthened a couple of holes, the 11th is much longer, traps are more in play. The seventh is longer, so it is one of the toughest tests I have played on in an Open Championship.

"I am sure there are some unplayable places in the rough, it is pretty thick and brutal, but if you don't go in it you won't have a problem with it.

"There might be times when it might be better to take your punishment and take a drop. But that is part of the game of golf, there should be penalties for hitting it off line."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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