10 Things you never knew about Lee Westwood

These facts are meant to amaze you and understand exactly why Lee Westwood is the greatest golfer of our times.....

1. Lee has poor eyesight, yet he does not wear glasses.

   He can't pick out detail from further than 180 yards or so. This means that he can't see the flag properly, never mind his ball, on par threes and on many approach shots. He is currently trying to find contact lenses that don't irritate his eyes. If Lee is a top class golfer now, what's he gonna be like when he can see properly?!?!?!

2. Lee is a big bloke, weighing in at nearly 15 stones.

   However, since winning his back to back events, Lee told Golf World that his success was down to a new fitness regime that has him spending longer in the Tour's fitness trailer. He decided on the new programme after a chat with Gary Player. "Several people said to me that I needed to do soething, and Player was one of them. When someone of that stature says it, you take extra notice. I'm feeling a lot better and I don't want to sleep during the day now. I'm sleeping a lot better at night and I feel more mentally alert." Mind you, we'd all sleep well at night if we had a bank balance with lots of 0's on the end, wouldn't we?

3. Lee took only 8 USPGA events to secure his 1st victory over there.

   That's right. Up to the Freeport Classic, Lee's US record looked loke this.

   • 1997 US Maters....................24th $24,840
   • 1997 US Open......................19th $31,915
   • 1997 US PGA.......................29th $13,625
   • 1997 NEC World Series.............12th $44,550
   • 1997 Sarazen World Open...........2nd $216,000
   • 1998 Bay Hill Invitational........13th $37,500
   • 1998 Players Championship.........5th $146,000
   • 1998 Freeport Classic.............1st $306,000

4. It's not only me who has a high opinion of the Big Man

   In fact, almost everyone around thinks he is the best thing since sliced bread. Let's take a few examples,

   • Europes best hope for the Open. Nick Pitt of the Times
   • I can't see any weakness in him. Former US Open and Open champion, Johnny Miller
   • He is an outstanding golfer. By John Hopkins after Lee's Freeport Classic victory
   • He is a remorsless collector of birdies, and a misanthropic donor of bogeys as well as a fierce defender of his score. Mel Webb after Westwood's win at Hanbury Manor
   • His hope of gaining the world's No. 1 spot is no idle dream. From Patricia Davies after his Australian Open win.
   • His game is very strong in every department. By Hugh McIlvanney after Lee helpoed beat Tiger in the Ryder Cup.
   • He is over 30 yards longer than me off the tee. One of Lee's peers, the legendary Nick Faldo who partnered him in the Ryder Cup in 1997.
   • Lee is one Europes most exciting and gifted golfers. By John Hopkins, after Westwood shot a 65 to break the course record and lead the Irish Open after 1 day.
   • There are few more enthralling sights in European golf than Westwood in full flight. Mel Webb after Lee's career best 61.
   • All the way to No1.....but I'm not sure how much further. Lee's coach's (Peter Cowen) reaction to being asked how far Westwood can go.
   • I knew he had been brought up with the right morals of the game. Greg Norman after Westwood did not knock down spike marks that lay just off the line of Greg's putt.
   • His game blends the raw edge of modern day aggression coupled with the subtle touch of an old master. Part of a feature from the programme of the 1998 Volvo PGA Championship at Wentworth.
   • He has the patience of a Bernhard Langer and the touch of a Bob Charles. Part of the same article as above.
   • Lee has the game to go all the way. Westwood's Ryder Cup captain, Seve Ballesteros.
   • He can play the game alright. Another comment fron Nick Faldo.

5. Lee has a high rating of himself, but is also very modest

   Westwood is not only one of one of the best players in the world, he is also one of the most confident.

   • I hit it quite long and straight; my temperaments good; my short game's alright; I'm normally a good putter but some days you hole them and others you don't. This is the understatement of the flippin' year!!
   • My game is spot on, I am hitting it really well. Lee's reaction to breaking the course record of the Druid's Glen Golf Clourse.
   • I must have a chance. Lee's reaction to being asked whether he can win a major soon after winning back-to-back events.
   • I was disgusted with myself. Believe it or not, Westwood said that after missing a 12-footer on the 1st and 5-footer on the 2nd at the Gut Kaden Klub. Never mind, he went on to shoot a 61!
   • I'm just a kid from Worksop who plays golf. Lee's reaction after many top sport stars recognised and talked to him at a sports dinner in London in 1997.
   • I make mistakes, but not the same ones twice. Glad to hear it, Lee!!

6. Lee wears Footjoy shoes, Scott and Lyle shirts along with Andrew Coltart, plays Titleist balls and gloves and uses Ping clubs.

   Over 70% of Tour pros use Footjoy shoes and Titleist gloves. To mark his ball, Lee puts a black dot below and to each side of the '1' under Titleist. He has used Ping clubs all his life, since he was 13 in fact.

7. Lee's sporting talents are not restricted to golf.

   He has a keen interest in horse racing, and even part owns a horse. He likes snooker. He is a better than average footballer - an area standard left-winger. He is comfortable with a cricket bat in his hands and is no soft touch on the rugby field.

8. Lee has his own fan club run by his family in Worksop.

   It is originally called the Lee Westwood Fan Club, opened August 1998 and I was the 32nd person to join. If you want to join, their impressive web site is at http://www.westyuk.com or write to The Lee Wetwood Fan Club, Enterprise House, Carlton Road, Worksop, Notts S81 7QF.

   

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   The UNofficial Lee Westwood Web Page
   Created by Euan Douglas, his biggest fan.
   Send an e-mail to me here
   Last modified: 16/5/99