• The Masters

Westwood satisfied with runner-up result

Lee Westwood tees off in front of former 'nearly man' Phil Mickelson © Getty Images

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• Profile: Phil Mickelson | Lee Westwood

Masters runner-up Lee Westwood admitted there would be a "tinge of disappointment" at once again falling just short of claiming his first Major, but otherwise reflected positively on a productive week in which he was in contention for victory until the closing holes.

The Englishman was partnered with champion Phil Mickelson as the leading pair on Sunday and despite starting the day with a one-stroke lead, Westwood was reined in by some sublime play by the American on the back nine.

Westwood was more than happy to credit Mickelson for earning a deserved victory, claiming he was satisfied with own performance.

Westwood said: "It wasn't that rough a day really, it was quite enjoyable out there. We both struggled off the tee early on. But Phil being the champion he is hit some great shots coming down the stretch there. His nine iron at 12 and his second shot into 13 were incredible, and then he just played solid coming in. He's been through some hard times recently and he deserves a break or two.

"I think I just need to keep doing what I'm doing and one of these days a door's going to open for me. I keep knocking. I finished third, third and second in the last three Majors."

As well as praising Mickelson's golf, Westwood said the three-time winner also had some encouraging words for him immediately after the final hole.

"Phil was just saying he's been that man there, who kept finishing second or third, and it's just a case of persevering. When you come as close as I did today, there's a tinge of disappointment but that doesn't last too long.

"There was a time when I didn't want to play and didn't want to go out and practice. I couldn't see any light at the end of the tunnel. I've been through that bad patch so I can appreciate what it's like to play well, and better than most people. So when I play like this and I'm contending for major championships I feel like a lucky man sometimes."

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