Westwood Revives Ryder Cup Memories with Belfry Win

With much of the media coverage focusing on the Presidents Cup, it is fitting that Lee Westwood triumphed at The Belfry over the weekend.

Westwood, who won the British Masters by five strokes over fellow Englishman Ian Poulter, has fond memories of The Belfry, where he was one of Europe’s heroes in that other famous inter-continental team event, the Ryder Cup, five years ago.

Indeed, Westwood admitted that his victory at the weekend was “right up there” with the 2002 Ryder Cup, when he collected three points to give Europe success over the Americans 15 ½ to 12 ½.

After being given an ovation by the delighted home crowd on the 18th, he said on the European Tour website:

“I am feeling very happy. I’ve had some special moments in my career here – and this one is right up there. I don’t think I’ve ever been clapped the entire length of the final hole, which is obviously very, very special”

Westwood closed with a dominating 65 to finish at 15-under-par 273 for the tournament and pick up a winner’s cheque for 434,727 euros.

Poulter’s 70 in the final round was good for second place, one stroke ahead of another Englishman, Mark Foster, the overnight leader who slumped on the fourth day with 73 to end up on 279.

Next came seven players on seven-under 281, including former US Open champion Michael Campbell, of New Zealand, Sweden’s Niclas Fasth and the man with one of the best names in golf, Zane Scotland, of England.

It was Westwood’s 18th title on the European Tour and second win of the 2007 season, having won the Valle Romano Open de Andalucia earlier this year to end a four-season drought.

Meanwhile, over in Canada, players from the American and International teams were preparing to do battle in the Presidents Cup.

One of the key players for the International team is South African Retief Goosen, one of only four players in Gary Player’s squad to have a winning record.

Goosen beat Tiger Woods two years ago, although the Americans still triumphed, and he is hoping that he can be a part of a winning team this time around in Montreal. He said on the PGA Tour website:

“Obviously, the team spirit is great. It just doesn’t feel like you’re playing for yourself out there like you normally do. You’ve got the 11 other guys that you’re carrying around and trying to help get that point on the board.”


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