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Westwood storms into Dubai lead
Source: Agencies |
February 12, 2012, Sunday
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LEE Westwood took advantage of some shaky play from Rory McIlroy and Thomas Bjorn to claim the third-round lead at the Dubai Desert Classic, one shot clear of Rafael Cabrera-Bello of Spain and two others.
Westwood was three shots behind McIlroy and Bjorn at the start of the third round but the quickly closed the gap with three birdies in his first four holes. The third-ranked Englishman birdied the 13th for a share of the lead with Bjorn and then went ahead by one when the Dane bogeyed the 15th.
"I played well. I got off to a good start. I was 3-under par after four (holes)," Westwood said. "The only time I dropped two shots was when I hit two poor drives on 6 into the left rough, got a heavy lie and 8 hit it into the sand on right. Other than that very solid and gave myself lots of birdie chances."
With 21 European Tour titles, Westwood has much more experience than the next three players. Cabrera-Bello (70), Stephen Gallacher (68) and Marcel Siem (68) have a combined three titles.
Coming into yesterday, it appeared Westwood's biggest challengers this weekend would be US Open champion McIlroy and Bjorn, who beat Tiger Woods in 2001 to take the Dubai title.
But McIlroy dropped back early, after his tee shot on No. 7 went in the water led to his first bogey. It was a sign of the kind of struggles he would have all day, as missed putts and errant drives led to three more bogeys on the back nine. The 22-year-old Irishman did well to remain in the hunt, making three birdies on the back nine, including on the 18th for a 72.
McIlroy is tied for fifth with 2010 PGA champion Martin Kaymer (70), Scott Jamieson (70) Joel Sjoholm (66). Bjorn (73) was a further shot back.
Westwood was three shots behind McIlroy and Bjorn at the start of the third round but the quickly closed the gap with three birdies in his first four holes. The third-ranked Englishman birdied the 13th for a share of the lead with Bjorn and then went ahead by one when the Dane bogeyed the 15th.
"I played well. I got off to a good start. I was 3-under par after four (holes)," Westwood said. "The only time I dropped two shots was when I hit two poor drives on 6 into the left rough, got a heavy lie and 8 hit it into the sand on right. Other than that very solid and gave myself lots of birdie chances."
With 21 European Tour titles, Westwood has much more experience than the next three players. Cabrera-Bello (70), Stephen Gallacher (68) and Marcel Siem (68) have a combined three titles.
Coming into yesterday, it appeared Westwood's biggest challengers this weekend would be US Open champion McIlroy and Bjorn, who beat Tiger Woods in 2001 to take the Dubai title.
But McIlroy dropped back early, after his tee shot on No. 7 went in the water led to his first bogey. It was a sign of the kind of struggles he would have all day, as missed putts and errant drives led to three more bogeys on the back nine. The 22-year-old Irishman did well to remain in the hunt, making three birdies on the back nine, including on the 18th for a 72.
McIlroy is tied for fifth with 2010 PGA champion Martin Kaymer (70), Scott Jamieson (70) Joel Sjoholm (66). Bjorn (73) was a further shot back.
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