Westwood - did he really have a chance?

[AliB]

Didn't see the US Open but heard him interviewed 2nite on Radio 2.
To me he sounded more pleased to have got to 3rd than disappointed at missing the play-off.
Do you think he has the game and teh mentality to oust Tiger or is he always going to flunk it?

AliB

 

[TonyN]

I cant actually answer this as I do not know.

Westy played really well over the 4 days, he devo deserved 3rd if not more. He was definitly chasing a win and I think, he should be dissapointed at missing out, not happy with 3rd.

I think the pressure got to much for him personally. And for me the difference between winning and loosing, is down to how well you can handle the pressure. Their is nobody in the game who laps up the pressure like Tiger does, not even close.

I think if Lee learnt to deal with the pressure at the right times, he really could force Tiger into making mistakes, we have seen Tiger slip up but others slipped up with him and let him back in. You dont get a second chance with the worlds greatest golfer!

Actually, now I have thought about it, I am going to back Lee, I like him alot and think he will play an integral part in the Ryder cup. But he just needs to deal with the pressure. Can this be taught? If it could, he could be a greater player

 

[Nico]

Gonna win The Open at Birkdale. Now he knows he is good enough to win he will push on.

 

[TonyN]

Second that Nico, and I feel his odds will not be worth a punt!

 

[Nico]

Taken him too long to show his pedigree but Padraig winning last year has moved them all on I think.

To my mind he is the only one not scared of winning.

Not looking forward to the odds either!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Think had he made a 5 at worse on the 13th on Sunday he'd already have a major to his name. I've a feeling there will be too much expectation on him at the Open to do himself justice but have a feeling he will be good value for the USPGA

 

[theeaglehunter]

I think it will come as a bit of a blow coming that close and falling short at the last hurdle as it were, but I think it is good that he is looking at the positives from finishing third rather than the negatives of not winning. This allows him to not dwell on his sorrows but build upon what was ultimately a very successful week (If you had offered him third at the start he would have bitten your hand off) which is the way forward as it is the only way he will truly reach his potential which is high, if anything this has impressed me in terms of his mentality- it showed that he is strong willed. He will come back and win.

 

[Glenfish]

Having read a few articles on him recently and seeing just how much he has physically changed as a result of over a year of gym work he must be determind to really try and be No1.
Tiger has really raised the bar for these guys, just see how many have gone away to work on their physical side ,

Well done to Lee, I believe he lost 6inches from his waist but actually gained 8lbs in weight!!!

 

[AliB]

Still a good answer, Tony!
Good to see that most people are backing him. I'll have to stop being an old cynic. I do like him - seems like a down to earth type, not carried away with 'celebrity'

AliB

 

[viscount17]

I've read a couple of articles about the US Open on american newspaper sites. Those about Westwood seem to have a different tone to the way I heard the interview reported (never heard it myself).
They seem to rate Westie as one of the few winners coming out of the week alongside Woods, Mediate and the competition.
Are we just so used to the British media trashing anything done by one of our own that it has become all that we see and all that we think?
Westwood did good! Over the course of four rounds he effectively missed one 20ft putt - and the odds of any of the pro's dropping 20 footers aren't that high!

 

[kjackson1969]

After watching the final round I think Lee's driving and putting really let him down.

He hardly found a fairway all round and I cannot remember hin making a significant putt all round unlike Tiger who when needed made the putt on the final green.

Overall I think Lee had a fantastic week and should give him bags of confidence for the rest of the year.

 

[USER1999]

The worry with Lee is always his putting. At best it is mediocre, and at worst, ala Sergio. This could rule him out from all the majors, as they always ramp up the speed of the greens for the majors. Maybe if it rains hard he will get a chance, but if the open is dry, with hard and fast greens, forget it.

 

[OldWindy]

I think Westwood has it in him to win a major...but...he'll have to show physical fitness, natural ability AND mental strength simultaneously over the 4 days. Only Tiger has demonstrably done this in recent years because of his will to win.

 

[toonarmy]

I think some are being very unfair on Lee. Think back to how many players who paired with Woods in the last pair on the last day have done - it's rarely pretty and hardly ever close. The ridiculous furore and circus that is permitted around Woods must be impossible for other golfers to deal with.

I think he did admirably. Basically in 72 holes had a run of four bad ones from the turn that proved decisive. Strangely, I think that if Lee had been in the penulitmate group rather than the last he may well have won it.

His attitude at the end did not smack me of defeatism, just very pragmatic and realising that he'd done bloody well. He was hardly delighted at missing out, but not being a big soppy Yank he didn't view it as the end of his world either and start blubbing.

Great effort, great bloke.

 

[StuartD]

I think some are being very unfair on Lee. Think back to how many players who paired with Woods in the last pair on the last day have done - it's rarely pretty and hardly ever close. The ridiculous furore and circus that is permitted around Woods must be impossible for other golfers to deal with.

I think he did admirably. Basically in 72 holes had a run of four bad ones from the turn that proved decisive. Strangely, I think that if Lee had been in the penulitmate group rather than the last he may well have won it.

His attitude at the end did not smack me of defeatism, just very pragmatic and realising that he'd done bloody well. He was hardly delighted at missing out, but not being a big soppy Yank he didn't view it as the end of his world either and start blubbing.

Great effort, great bloke.

Spot on.

How many majors have we seen when someone is out with woods in last group, starting shot or two behind and we could turn the tv off after three holes. Thats why both Westwood and Rocco come out with so much credit.

Others must look at it and say that if a 45 year old qualifier can go toe-to-toe with him over 18 holes surely i can. Sadly i feel they will look at it and say what chance do i have when he can win with a dodgy knee.

 

[shanker]

Ali
I didn't hear the interview with Lee that you referred to in your post. I can't help wondering whether he was just being ''a good loser'' or ''was just losing gracefully''. I think he's got it in him to win a big one and maybe his first will be our Open (or THE Open). I hope he does it.

 

[vig]

This country is full of good losers.
I like westwood.
He is a good golfer, likeable, doesn't seem to get too down on himself and has worked bloody hard on his fitness but like most Brits he needs to have a bit of edge and be so single minded to the point of blanking his playing partners.

The last champ we had like that was Faldo. Not popular with some of his fellow golfers but he had a stealy determination to win and win the big ones. Westy could do worse than talk to him.

 

[madandra]

We have had successful sportsmen and women in the past and their best quality was selfishness . Look at Faldo for instance, no bugger liked the guy and even better he didn't even care !!!! His job was to win, end of. And what did we do when he was at his peak? We... sorry ... the press ripped him and his private life to pieces.

Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry, Seb Coe were all winners and all boring to the media. The flip side was guys like Jimmy White, who was loved by everyone but missed out on the Snooker World Championship.

 

[vig]

That's exactly my point.
To be a champ or indeed a great champion you need to be single minded and selfish to the point of "screw everyone else"
When I was playing football I crocked a good friend (medial ligament) he never played again. Hey he was on the other team, I hate losing!!!!

The thing with the media is puzzling but it sells papers and increases viewing figures.
Is there any wonder why some of our top sportsmen/women move abroad.... they can't have a cuppa in a cafe without there being a romantic link.

Back to topic.. Westwood, stuff them all!!!! you have the rest of your life to make friends and be popular. Your true friends will always be there.

 

[Wildrover]

I think he was disappointed but was trying to put a positive spin on things. It is the first time he has really contested a major right down to the wire and his game didn't desert him, even playing with Tiger (remeber Aaron Baddeley last year - shot 80 or 81 I think).
Westy for The Open, COME ON LEE!!!!!!