Westwood Joins Very Elite Tour Club With Victories In Four Decades

Abu Dhabi, UAE ... Lee Westwood has now joined a very elite European Tour club in becoming only the third player to win Tour titles in four different decades.

Westwood’s two-shot Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship success has seen the 46-year old England golfer joining Des Smyth and Mark McNulty as the only golfers in European Tour history to win over four decades.

Westwood shut out his Abu Dhabi rivals with a powerhouse last day 67 and win with a 19-under par tally in the UAE capital.

“It’s been a good week,” he said smiling.  I can’t believe I’m old.  It’s getting harder to win.”

The win is Westwood’s 44th worldwide and his 25th on the European Tour.

Westwood claimed a first Tour win in 1996, a 10th in 2000, a 21st in 2011 and now matching Smyth and McNulty.

Smyth first tasted Tour success in 1979, a second win in 1980, a seventh in 1993 and an eighth and last Tour win in 2001.

The Zimbawean-born McNulty, who now calls Ireland home, captured a first of 16 Tour wins in 1979, a second in 1980, a ninth in 1990 and then a 16th and final Tour event in 2001.

Lee Westwood now joins Des Smyth and Mark McNultry as the only European Tour members to capture European main Tour events over four decades (Photo – Getty/European Tour)

Westwood will jump from 63rd to 29th on the World Rankings with the assurance now of a 18th Masters appearance and a first Augusta National tee time since 2017.

He will also be eligible for the WGC – Mexico Championship and also take a big step up the European Tour Ryder Cup rankings.

“I am not sure if I can take any more Ryder Cup,” said Westwood and a veteran of 10 European Ryder Cup sides.

“It’s was good watching the lads last time but then if it a chance of making the team I might as well go for it.

“It’s just nice to come out and prove you’ve still got it.”

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