A look back at sports
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Sports pictures of the year
From a nail-biting pass at Superbowl XLIII to a bloody WBO World Welterwight fight, here's a look at the best sports photos of 2009. Slideshow
Torrey Pines fan Westwood makes auspicious start
SAN DIEGO (Reuters) - Lee Westwood was effusive in his praise of the South Course at Torrey Pines after moving into contention with a one-under-par 70 in the U.S. Open first round on Thursday.
Striking the ball with precision on the coastal layout, the 35-year-old Englishman reeled off two birdies and a lone bogey to lie two strokes behind pacesetting American Justin Hicks.
"I think this is one of the best U.S. Open courses we've ever played, it is certainly set up the best," Westwood told reporters. "It is not in such a shape that you feel like there is a disaster waiting around the corner.
"I think if they got the greens a little firmer, that would be how the USGA (United States Golf Association) would exactly want the golf course to play all week. They were a little soft this morning for them."
Although the 7,643-yard South Course is the longest layout to host a major championship, Westwood felt it presented a very fair challenge to the players.
"Even if you just miss the fairways, it gives you a chance to score and when I did miss them today, it was only just," the former European number one said after hitting nine of 14 fairways.
"All in all I was very pleased with today's work. I kept the ball more or less where I wanted to.
"I always feel like I should have a chance at the U.S. Open because I drive the ball well generally," added Westwood, who is making his ninth appearance in the second major of the year.
"This course in particular has grown on me since the week has gone on. It is a good shaper's course where you have to draw and fade the ball in equal measure.
"There is definitely a way to play here and hopefully I might just have found that way. Hopefully I can keep that going for the next three days and have a chance on Sunday afternoon."
Westwood, whose only PGA Tour victory came at the 1998 New Orleans Classic, has posted two top-10 finishes in his previous eight U.S. Open appearances. His best result was a tie for fifth at Pebble Beach in 2000.
(Editing by Peter Rutherford)
