The headlines going into this week will focus on the continuing aftermath to the rather acrimonious split of Tiger Woods and Steve Williams. The chances of Rory McIlroy will also be closely scrutinised upon, as he looks to capatalise on his strong performance at the Bridgestone Invitational, into a quickfire 2nd Major title, following his historic US Open triumph at Congressional. And finally, also the chances of the aforementioned Woods, looking to mark his comeback with a dramatic and shock 5th PGA title, and a 15th Major Championship win. But to many, especially on the European and British side of the 'pond', the saga of Lee Westwood's quest to be crowned a Major Champion will be the greatest focus this week.
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| Westwood found success early in his career |
The PGA Championship has in recent times developed the nickname of 'Glory's Last Shot', a play on the fact that it will be a golfers final chance of Major glory before the following years Masters Tournament in April. However, for Lee Westwood, that slogan is starting to develop an ironic poignancy, as he begins to enter the late Summer of his career. Westwood has rightly earned his place as one of the worlds most successful and consistent golfers. 21 European Tour titles, two Order of Merit titles, including the inaugural Race to Dubai in 2009, attest to that fact. Also include his impressive Ryder Cup record, and his attainment of the World Number One position in the October of 2010, the first Englishmen since Nick Faldo to reach the summit. Westwood has to be seen as one of the most consistent forces in the last decade of the game. Yes, he went through his tough times, where he fell towards the lowly position of 200th in the world in 2002. But he has bounced back, and during the last 3 years, has undoubtedly been the worlds best, most consistent player. But what is missing in Westwoods impressive list of achievements, is the one thing that cements a player in history. A Major Championship.
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| The King of Dubai in 2009 |
He has come very close in recent times, frustratingly close in fact. The closest occasions were undoubtedly at Turnberry in 2009 and at Augusta 9 months later. On the Ayrshire Coast, an event that will be forever remembered for Tom Watson's near fairytale victory, Westwood 3 putted the 72nd to miss the resulting playoff by 1 shot. Yes, the records will say his best finish so far in an Open was the 2nd to Louis Oosthuizen at St Andrews last year, but that was a very distant second. At Augusta last year, having played brilliantly all week, Lee went into Masters Sunday with a 1 stroke lead, but was overtaken by an inspired Phil Mickelson, who went on to claim an emotional third Green Jacket. Some would say that Westwood just hasn't quite had the luck or the breaks required yet to claim a Major Championship But the Worksop man realises there is more to it than that as he looks ahead to this weeks PGA in order to remove the title that has been planted up on him. As the best player yet to have won a Major Championship.
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| Congratulating Mickelson at Augusta in 2010 |
That title belonged to Davis Love III in the early 90s, then onto Phil Mickelson until 2004, and since then it has been thrown about between Colin Montgomerie, Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood. With Monty's career all but finished, Westwood's age and consistency has seen him take that 'title' ahead of Garcia. Is Lee willing to take it to heart that so far he has been 'unluckly' and that his time will come? No, this 38 year old realises that he has to make his own luck. In comments to the Guardian, Westwood said: "I'm sure you need breaks in any tournaments, not just majors, but I think if you get to a certain level and play well enough then you can eradicate luck to a certain extent."
Lee has went out his way to achieve an even greater level of play in order to give himself that chance this week in Atlanta.
Following his dissapointing missed cut at the Open in July, during which he led the greens in regulation stats, Westwood went out his way to find a method of improving his fortunes with the putter. Working with famed sports physcologist Dr Bob Rotella, who has given great help to many players, Westwood's attitude was in a far better place at the WGC in Akron. Since working recently with Rotella, Lee seems more settled with his game than he was a month ago, and that is an ominous sign to those in this weeks PGA field. Confidently telling the Independent's James Corrigan, Lee noted that: "This weekend is the best I have ever played tee to green," he said, after a final round of 65: "It was that good. I could have been standing here with two 62s."
Westwood is going into this weeks PGA Championship a much more confident and dangerous player than the one who turned up in Kent last month.
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| "I could have had two 62s" A confident Lee Westwood heads to Atlanta |
But of course, it must be stated, that even if Westwood does not lift the Wanamaker Trophy this Sunday, he'll still have more chances. At 38 he still has many good years ahead, as his good friend Darren Clarke proved last month at 42, you can still win at that stage of your career. However, as much as he still has potential for another 6 or 7 years of consistently superb golf, if he does not win one soon, it will very soon be 4 years left, then 2 years, and before you realise it, your time is up. The clock is slowly ticking for Lee, but even if he doesn't win a Major, his career will still be nothing but stellar. Could the likes of Todd Hamilton, Rich Beem or Larry Mize claim to have had better careers than Lee? Of course they realistically couldn't, but a Major would be the perfect icing to add on to the already tasty cake, that is the career of Lee Westwood.
A confident and calm Westwood moves into Atlanta, with one goal in mind, and I think that he might just go on and do it.
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