• St Jude Classic

Westwood never lost faith during 12 years of hurt

Lee Westwood edged out Robert Karlsson for victory © Getty Images

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Lee Westwood insists he never lost faith in himself despite taking 12 years to claim his second PGA Tour title.

Westwood finally added to his 1998 Freeport-McDermott Classic triumph by winning the St Jude Classic on Sunday, edging a three-way play-off against Robert Karlsson and Robert Garrigus. The world No. 3 required four sudden death holes to see off the Swede, after the pair had been dealt a lifeline by long-time leader Garrigus who triple bogeyed the final hole.

Victory erases recent memories of a series of near misses for Westwood, who has had to settle for top-three finishes at the US Open, the US PGA Championships and the Masters. Westwood has had to remain more patient than most, but he insists he never lost faith.

"Twelve years ago I won my first tournament in New Orleans," he said. "You try to do the right thing all the time. Sometimes it doesn't work for you. I've been in contention a lot, especially this year, and I suppose I got a break today with other people's misfortune, but made the most of it and took a chance.

"In my career I've had highs and lows. I've dropped down in the world rankings and come back up so to be contending for golf tournaments is a real positive, because I couldn't see a fairway or the golf course eight years ago.

"Now I'm contending for golf tournaments. What is there not to enjoy? There's far more people - you look at the charity this week, the kids' hospital - go through worse things than playing bad golf.

"That's why I play golf with such an optimistic outlook. Good things will happen. I enjoy golf."

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