Lee Westwood shoots 65 for one-stroke lead at Andalucia Open
- By The Associated Press
- Published 03/27/2008
- News
- Unrated
PUERTO BANUS, Spain(AP) Lee Westwood shot a 7-under 65 Thursday to take a one-stroke lead at the Andalucia Open.
The event's defending champion sank an 18-foot birdie putt on the first hole and then picked up five more birdies through the 10th at the Aloha Golf Club.
"I didn't make too many mistakes and my course management was good,'' Westwood said. "I've got one eye on the Masters ... and nothing beats winning for confidence.''
Danny Willett and Jan-Are Larsen were tied for second at 66.
Willett, a top-ranked amateur who received an invitation to play, had two eagles on his first seven holes. He opened on the back nine and eagled the 10th, and then hit a 4 iron to three feet on the 16th.
"I was quite nervous for my first European Tour event,'' the 20-year-old said. "The eagle took a lot of first-hole nerves away and relieved the pressure.''
Matthew Millar (67) was two strokes behind in fourth, and five players were tied at 68, including teenager Rory McIlory. Two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal, who was playing in his first tournament after a nine-month layoff because of injury problems, shot a 71.
The event's defending champion sank an 18-foot birdie putt on the first hole and then picked up five more birdies through the 10th at the Aloha Golf Club.
"I didn't make too many mistakes and my course management was good,'' Westwood said. "I've got one eye on the Masters ... and nothing beats winning for confidence.''
Danny Willett and Jan-Are Larsen were tied for second at 66.
Willett, a top-ranked amateur who received an invitation to play, had two eagles on his first seven holes. He opened on the back nine and eagled the 10th, and then hit a 4 iron to three feet on the 16th.
"I was quite nervous for my first European Tour event,'' the 20-year-old said. "The eagle took a lot of first-hole nerves away and relieved the pressure.''
Matthew Millar (67) was two strokes behind in fourth, and five players were tied at 68, including teenager Rory McIlory. Two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal, who was playing in his first tournament after a nine-month layoff because of injury problems, shot a 71.
Copyright 2008 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
Michelle Wie was on the verge of something big last week at the LPGA State Farm Classic — her first professional win. But a rules infraction got her DQ'd on Saturday. Now she'll go after that first win on the PGA Tour, and likely won't forget to sign her card.
Anthony Kim was a crossroads. He could either continue down the road of laziness and late night carousing or he could shape up and start living up to his potential. He chose the latter — and he’s having way more fun.
Colin Montgomerie, 45, wants to play on yet another European Ryder Cup team. But this once-great, now-mediocre star is becoming a daily headline with his posturing — do I, should I, would I. We love our Euro brethren, but enough is enough.
The LPGA may be at its most vibrant, what with Lorena Ochoa and Annika Sorenstam, but it must keep a close eye on which way the needle is shifting.
Yes, Tiger Woods is done for a while. But the game will still be played, and there will be other winners and losers. And that should be the focus now, not that the world’s best player is, well, not playing.
June brought us three majors in four weeks, and plenty of issues to mull over. From Rocco Mediate taking Tiger Woods to the 92nd hole to teens Yani Tseng and Inbee Park winning the women’s last two majors, this was a month that shows the unpredictability of golf.
Kenny Perry, 47, won the Buick Open on Sunday and essentially locked up his spot on the U.S. Ryder Cup team that will take on Europe in his Kentucky backyard. Life is pretty good for him right now.