Lee Westwood’s assault on golf’s summit was at the mercy of the weather at the Honda Classic
For two days Westwood was a serious contender in Florida. But, like the majority, he was forced to submit to nature’s forces on the third day. Wind is not so much a leveller as a random beast that makes an accurate examination of a golfer’s game unreliable. The same for everybody, yes, but some have more to lose than others. In Westwood’s case, the top-three finish required was left blowing in the wind.
Westwood is, of course, aiming higher than the No 1 ranking. This is a player that led on the final day of The Masters last year by a shot from Phil Mickelson; a player who was tied for the lead with nine to play and who ultimately lost out after posting four rounds under par and three in the 60s.
For Westwood it has only ever been about Augusta on the second weekend of April since pulling up lame and ultimately withdrawing from the final major of 2010, the PGA Championship. The presence of a fit Westwood at Whistling Straights might or might not have influenced the outcome. As we know Martin Kaymer closed out his first major victory in a play-off against Bubba Watson.
The absence of a major on Westwood’s career card is an irritant, not least because the rankings say he is good enough. A top-three finish on Sunday will see Westwood resume the world No 1 spot taken by Kaymer a week ago at the Accenture Matchplay Championship in Tucson.
The intuitive contradiction of a majorless world No 1 was a question that demanded much of Westwood’s time in interviews from the moment he ascended to the throne in November. Should he prosper on Sunday it will be back on the agenda.
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