ROUND 4
SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2020
WONDERFUL WESTY Former world No.1 Lee Westwood will take a one stroke lead and a quarter of a century of winning experiences into the final round of the $7 million Rolex Series event BY KENT GRAY – EDITOR, GOLF DIGEST MIDDLE EAST
L
ee Westwood is on course to tie Sir Nick Faldo’s record for the most European Tour top-10s by an Englishman, a seemingly inevitable reminder of a stellar career cruelly undermined by that major asterisk beside his name. On the evidence of his body of work this week, the former world No.1 clearly has grander plans to embellish his legacy on the final day of the 15th Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA. A seven-under, third round 65 will see Westwood take a one stroke lead over Austrian Bernd Wiesberger and Italian Francesco Laporta into Sunday at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, not to mention the experience of closing out 24 European Tour events over the past
quarter century. Westwood didn’t make the biggest charge on moving day, that honour going to Sebastian Heisele after the Dubai-raised German soared 52 places up to a share of 9th with his early 64. But it was the 46-year-old Englishman who made the most significant Saturday ascent, up six spots to the top of a cluttered leaderboard where 12 players are within five shots of Westwood’s -14 lead. Westwood’s obvious pedigree notwithstanding, the first Desert Swing event of the new decade looks set to be decided by an absorbing multi-player shootout. Six birdies and a sensational eagle at the 8th has given Westwood poleposition to celebrate his 25th season on
tour with a 25th title and what would be his 44th worldwide victory. Regardless of how Sunday transpires, he looks set to match Faldo’s 179 top-10s, not that he'll be playing for consolation milestones. What kind of score do you think you’ll need to get it done in the final round? “One better than everybody else,” came Westwood’s succinct retort. “I can’t tell the future. I’m just going to go out there and play as well as I can, and if it’s good enough, then great. "I know I’m talented enough to win the tournament. It’s just a case of applying myself. “It’s always a bonus to be in contention, and that’s basically why we come out here. I’m not going to lie, I didn’t play a lot
of golf coming into it. Didn’t know what to expect. To be in the lead with one round to go, it’s a real positive.” Westwood negotiated the National’s outward nine in a sublime 31 strokes, a five under run highlighted by his 266yard hybrid to three feet to set up the eagle three on the 8th. Cruising along on a 32-hole bogeyless streak, Saturday's only bogey blemish came via a wayward tee shot on the 14th, followed by a toe hook into some bushes on the opposite side of the fairway. It was a close run thing though with Westwood catching the cup with his chip for par, an encouraging sign that his sometimes troublesome short game in sync this week. Turn to page 2
Championship News
A Quick Round with...
Map / Spectator’s Guide
Championship Village
Bernd Wiesberger, Francesco Laporta and ‘They Said it...’. PAGES 2, 5 AND 6
... Emirates Global Aluminium Chief Marketing Officer Walid Al Attar. PAGE 7
Your guide to the catching the ‘Best of the Best’ on The National. PAGE 14
Plan your day with all the activations outside the ropes. PAGE 16
FREE INSIDE!
Daily Draw Sheet PAGE 10
PLUS!
Free Poster! COLLECT LEE WESTWOOD’S AUTOGRAPH ON PAGE 12 - 13
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