Find Me A 100 Winner - Lee Westwood

Find Me A 100 Winner / Paul Krishnamurty / 18 March 2008 / Leave a Comment

Going against Tiger this week? Then side with a man who knows what it feels like to beat the world no. 1

If, somehow, Tiger is to be beaten this week, it could pay to side with one of the few players who has ever managed to get the better of him in a final round, Lee Westwood. I retain very fond memories of the Deutsche Bank Open at Gut Kaden back in 2000. Prior to that event, Woods had never lost an event after holding the lead at the 54-hole stage but a final day 64 from Westwood put paid to that record.

The bottle he showed that day has become Lee's trademark, both in an exemplary Ryder Cup record and 26 worldwide tournament victories. Considering he's drifted in and out of form throughout his career and suffered fairly long spells in the golfing doldrums, that is a mightily impressive return. It certainly suggests he's worth a crack at this week's massive odds of [120.0].

They're also massive when you consider his fine recent form in Europe. Despite not winning since September, nobody has been more consistent in that period on the European Tour than Westwood. He's made his last seven top-10s on that tour, and played well for a long way last weekend at Bay Hill. He ruined his chance very early on Sunday, and a finishing position of 17th barely reflects how well he played over the first couple of days. I see no good reason why he can't make the small improvement required and hit four good rounds this week.

The only downside is that he's making his course debut at Doral. That is a disadvantage, but then again he should be ideally suited to the demands of Blue Monster. Recent results at Doral suggest a very strong emphasis on driving distance and greens in regulation, in my view Westwood's greatest strengths beside his temperament under pressure.