Timely Hazeltine lift for Westwood at Firestone
AKRON, Ohio (Reuters) - Britain's Lee Westwood gave himself an ideal boost for next week's PGA Championship at Hazeltine National by signing off with a five-under-par 65 at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational on Sunday.
The former European number one, 10 strokes off the pace at the start of the day, birdied four of the last seven holes at Firestone Country Club to post a five-under total of 275.
"I just kept playing the way I had been playing all week," Westwood told reporters after finishing in ninth place, seven shots behind the triumphant Tiger Woods.
"I hit a lot of good shots, hit it close a lot and was unlucky not to make a hole-in-one at the 12th, it just lipped out.
"But the key was that I made a couple more putts, and that is what has been lacking this week," the 36-year-old Englishman said after totaling only 25 putts in hot and humid conditions.
"The first day I came out and that was really where I let myself down this week. I made seven birdies that day and only shot one under par."
Competing for the first time since tying for third at last month's British Open, Westwood opened with a 69 to trail first-round leader Padraig Harrington of Ireland by five shots.
SLOPPY GOLF
"That was sloppy golf but I tend to do that when I have had a couple of weeks off," he said.
"I get a bit jaded and I didn't make enough of all those birdies on the opening day. That is why I am only five under par at the end of the week."
After ending last month's British Open just one stroke off the four-hole playoff won by Stewart Cink over fellow American Tom Watson, Westwood is eager to flourish at next week's PGA Championship.
"I have got better as this week has gone on so I am really looking forward to next week," the 18-times European Tour champion said after piling up seven birdies and two bogeys in Sunday's final round.
"It is the last major of the year and having come so close at the (British) Open championship, I will try and put that right next week and get the 'W' as they say over here."
(Editing by Pritha Sarkar)
