Westwood back on the right path

Lee Westwood says his recent performances have given him a confidence boost after a difficult 12 months on and off the course.

The former world No.1 recently returned from a five week break after finishing tied for second at the Masters last month, following that up with a top 10 finish at the Irish Open last weekend.

The 43-year-old had the chance to win his first major at Augusta before a mistake at the 16th in his final round cost him the chance to wear the famous Green Jacket.

His performance at the Masters was a remarkable turn around given his form since winning the Indonesian Masters in April 2015, slipping to 67th in the world rankings at one point last year.

Westwood’s poor form coincided with him getting divorced from his wife of 16 years, Laurae, the Worksop-native taking the decision to quit the PGA Tour in the wake of the split to be closer to his two children at home in England.

Westwood’s start to this year continued in the same vain as he missed the cut in three of his first four tournaments and the world No.35 has admitted he doubted whether he would ever compete for a big prize again before his showing at the Masters.

“I think when you haven’t played well for a long time, then you do start to have doubts in your mind,” said Westwood.

“But it never takes long for golfers to snap out of it, really. We’re a pretty dumb breed.We?re only one good shot, really, from a comeback. You start to feel the right things in your golf swing and it can have an almost immediate effect.

“I’ll just see a couple of putts go in, and starting the ball on line, and it can change in the click of a finger.

“Obviously any time you play well in a tournament, especially the stature of the Masters, it gives you a lot of confidence and belief. Any time you play well in front of the best players in the world and finish in front of them, bar Danny, obviously it boosts your confidence.”

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