Westwood continues good form

12 April 2012

Lee Westwood is in contention for back-to-back European Tour titles after an opening 71 in the Irish Open at Adare Manor.

Westwood bogeyed the 10th, his opening hole, but then carded two birdies and 15 pars to set the clubhouse target on one under par.

Ireland's Paul McGinley, who described the course as his favourite inland course in Ireland, carded a level par 72 but defending champion Thomas Bjorn could only manage a 75. Pre-tournament favourite Padraig Harrington was among the later starters.

Westwood went almost four years without a victory until Sunday's two-shot win in the Andalucia Open, which lifted him back into the top 50 in the world rankings.

"I'm holing putts at the right time which is very important when you are putting a score together," said Westwood, who had struggled on the greens all season until switching putters before the second round last week, when he shot a course-record 64.

"I'm playing solid from tee to green, which I have been all year, and when you start holing a few putts that gives you more confidence."

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