An electrical storm didn’t dampen spectator’s enthusiasm who sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to Lee Westwood in capturing the inaugural Indonesian Masters.
Westwood celebrated his 38th birthday and hopefully a move back to No. 1 in the world, with a final round 69 to win by three strokes with a 19-under par tally in Jakarta.
Lee Westwood delighted to celebrate 38th birthday with victory in Indonesia (Pic - Thanks to Asian Tour).
A tropical downpour had halted play for an hour with Westwood and Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee still with a hole to play.
But when play resumed, Westwood finished a clear winner to capture his 34th pro career title and his first of the new season.
“It was a really nice touch for everyone to sing Happy Birthday and that’s something that I’ve never experienced before on a golf course,” said Westwood.
“But this week was about coming here and trying to win the Indonesian Masters and I’ve done that.
“So I’ve ticked every box this week so we will have to wait and see what happens with regards if I am back to No. 1 in the world.
“This is my 18th or 19th year playing on the Tour and I still love it. I’ve always said that when I stop loving the game, I’ll quit but still love getting on the aeroplane and playing with some of the best players in the world on some of the greatest golf courses.
“It is a lucky life we live and seeing how well some of the players player this week, it’s obvious they’re got many more good years ahead of them.
“This is my first win and my first top-10 this year, and I’ve started slowly only because of my putting.
“But I made a lot of putts this week and that’s why I finished 19-under and hopefully I can carry on and win more tournaments.”
Westwood was soon headed to Jakarta Airport and won’t know until he touches down in Heathrow (Monday) whether he’s gone back to No. 1.
That hinged on Luke Donald not winning the PGA Tour’s Heritage Classic at Hilton Head in South Carolina.
If Donald wins, he goes from No. 3 and into No. 1. If not, Westwood will be No. 1, Martin Kaymer No. 2 and Donald staying at No. 3.
Also celebrating was Belgium’s Nicolas Colsaerts who ended a 181 European Tour event winless drought to capture the Volvo China Open in Chenghu.
Colsaerts, 28 was never headed in posting a last day 66 to win by four shots with a 24-under par total.
Four players – Ireland’s Peter Lawrie (68), Dane Soren Kjeldsen (66), New Zealand’s Danny Lee (65) and Spain’s Pablo Martin (63) – finished tied second on 20-under par.
Nicolas Colsaerts ends a 10-year wait to capture first European Tour victory (Pic - Thanks to European Tour).
Colsaerts is only the second Belgium born player to win on the European Tour, and 37-years after Phillipe Touissant captured the 1974 Benson and Hedges International Open.
But after joining the Tour as an 18-year old in 2001, the Belguim player’s had six return visits to the Tour School.
“I’m enjoying every second of it. I’m dizzy as my head is going all over the place,” he said.
“I have been waiting for this for a very long time and I did it in the best manner possible so I am really delighted.
“A lot of kids in Belgium are going to look up to this victory as I did when Philipe Touissant won. I know him very well and I’m sure he’s going to be happy for me too.
“A lot of people were expecting big things of me to win tournaments for a long time.
“But while it’s been a hell of a journey, from when I was 18 and got my Tour card, I have never lost faith of getting to where I am now and I’m glad I did it this way.”
