Lee Westwood stood on the 18th hole at the Gary Player Country Club and when the moment came he lifted the cup above his head and shook it to the Sun City sky to celebrate his first win in over three and a half years.
It was no doubt an emotional victory for the former world No1, who at 45 years of age, couldn’t help but wonder if he had reached the end of the road during those winless days on tour.
But this was no ordinary comeback from the Nottingham man. He had to battle off major winners Sergio Garcia and Louis Oosthuizen to prevail for a third time at the Nedbank Challenge. In an inspiring display, he birdied five of the last eighth holes to win by three strokes and collect the 43rd title of his decorated career.
In fact, Westwood’s last win before the Nedbank was the Indonesian Masters in April 2015 when he sealed a play-off victory over Chapchai Nirat of Thailand.
Speaking to Sport360 at the Els Club on Monday, Audemars Piguet ambassador Westwood said: “It was nice to get a win again. It was four years. Your never quite sure, especially at 45, if you’ve still got it or can do it under pressure. It was nice to hit some quality shots coming down the back nine and make some putts and to win by three. It was comfortable on the last green.”
Despite it being his first win in 1,116 days, Westwood was showing signs of coming close in recent months, with some sharp iron play and consistent putting placing him in contention in both Denmark and Spain.
He lost in a play-off to compatriot Matt Wallace at the Made in Denmark tournament in September and six weeks later produced a stunning display to finish in a tie for fifth at the Valderrama Masters.
Whatever the missing link was before, he looks to have found it now.
“I wasn’t being mental strong enough at the right time. I wasn’t believing in myself. I wasn’t hitting shots at the right time. I was unfortunate in Denmark, losing in a play-off. But it has been coming. I’ve been showing good signs,” he said.
“I have a psychologist who I work with, doing some eventuality and consequence type work. I try to think clearer, sometimes as golfers we overanalyse things and think too much. It’s a much simpler game if you hit it, find it and hit it again.”
One of Westwood’s highlights of the year was no doubt being part of Europe’s winning Ryder Cup side last month. Acting as vice-captain, he used his vast experience of featuring in seven victorious teams to steer his continent to a 14th trophy at Le Golf National.
And with Whistling Straits just two years away, Westwood is targeting a record-equalling 11th appearance in the contest. If he can carry his end of season form into 2019, then it should give him belief that he has the skillset and strong game plan to be a key part of the European team for golf’s premier team showpiece.
“I would like to play again. It’s not the same being vice captain as it is playing. I missed it as I was walking inside the ropes. It’s two years away but certainly how I played recently gives me confidence and allows me to set my goals higher for the next few years,” he said.
“The atmosphere was incredible at the Ryder Cup this year. Paris was a great venue for it. The crowd really do surround you at the holes. The noise was incredible, just how passionate and how into it they were.”
After 25 years as a professional, Westwood had enjoyed plenty of success on both European (24 wins) and PGA Tours (two wins). In majors, he has achieved impressive results, finishing second at the Masters in 2010 and 2016, second at the Open championship in 2010, third at the US Open in 2008 and 2011, and his tie for third place at the PGA Championship in 2009. Results that most players would dream of.
Success may have been slow in recent years, but watching Westwood this season, his driving, iron play and putting all looks sharp and he really appears to be enjoying his golf again with girlfriend Helen Storey on his bag.
Although he may be disappointed with his final round 76 at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, which saw him finish in a tie for 21st, he should take confidence and encouragement from his first three rounds (70, 69 and 65) at the Earth Course.
“My game is in pretty good shape. You don’t shoot the low scores that I’ve been shooting without the game being in good shape. I’m starting to hole more puts. My short game is shape. My tee to green is good. I’m driving the ball well,” he said.
“There are no weaknesses at the moment. I need to keep on top of things and keep fine tuning things.”
