These days, Lee Westwood is up against players virtually half his age on tour. But as he showed in two runner-up finishes in marquee PGA Tour events in successive weeks, the popular Englishman is still right up there with the best … and having fun!
“I’m just having so much fun. Everybody keeps telling my how old I am. I’m 48 in a month’s time and I’m still out here contending for tournaments and playing in final groups with great players like Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas and people like that. It’s just a joy to be involved and still playing well and being able to contend,” said Westwood after finishing second in The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass, just one shot behind Thomas.
Just the week before, Westwood also finished runner-up by one shot in the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, losing out on that occasion to DeChambeau who was blasting drives way past the Englishman.
“Last week was also very good. You know, these are world-class fields. These are young guys that I’m giving 20, 25 years to most of them, and yeah, I’m still contending. I’m enjoying it. It’s a thrill to be out here and still playing well,” stressed Westwood, who has won more than 40 tournaments worldwide including two Malaysian Opens.
Asked if the 2021 Lee Westwood is having more fun than the 2010 Lee Westwood (when he was World No 1), he replied: “I do, yeah. I do enjoy the game more. I take it for what it is … a game.
“We’re just trying to get a little white ball into a little white hole. It gets treated far too seriously occasionally. With what’s going on in the world, it’s fun to be doing a job that I love and that I’ve done for 28 years … and I’m still doing it.”
What’s In Westwood’s Bag:
Driver: Ping G425 LST (10.5°@8.75°) with Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro Orange 60 TX shaft
Fairway: Ping G425 Max (14.5°) with Aldila 2018 NV Green 75 X shaft
Irons: Ping i210 (3-9) with Ping JZ Stiff shafts
Wedges: Ping i210 PW (49.5°) and UW (53°), Ping Glide Forged LW (60°) with Ping JZ Stiff shafts
Putter: Ping Sigma 2 Fetch
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
