‘Old Man’ Lee Westwood superbly reaffirming his No. 1 world ranking stature with victory in the Ballantine’s Championship in Korea.
Westwood came from three shots back heading to the final round of the rain-affected event to win with a final round 67 for a 12-under par victory tally on the Blackstone course in Seoul.
Lee Westwood delighted to win Ballantine's Championship to reaffirm his World No. 1 stature (Pic - Thanks to Ballantine's)
The win is Westwood’s 35th pro career title and the second in succession after he captured last week’s Asian Tour’s Indonesian Masters.
Westwood had faced an anxious near hour-long wait as Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez sought to deny his Ryder Cup colleague.
But after saving par from bunkers at 15 and 17, Jimenez then found a greenside bunker at the last and knowing he need a birdie to tie Westwood.
However Jimenez could only manage par in a 71 for an 11-under par tally while hometown hero Sang-hyun Park (69) was third at 10-under par with visiting American Dustin Johnson impressive in shooting a 69 to be fourth at nine-under par.
“It feels great to win and it’s very special especially to do it back-to-back,” said Westwood.
“But I must admit it was nerve-racking sitting there watching Miguel playing the last few holes.
“He and I had dinner last night and I said to him that I would see him in a play-off and that nearly happened.
“So thank goodness for that because the last time we were in a play-off Miguel beat me in Dubai.
“So I’m quite proud of myself and delighted with the way I played this week as it was tough out there and coming here off a win in Indonesia and to have to get yourself refocused is not easy.
“But the more experience you get in these situations the easier it is to do it and if anything this in was an old man’s performance. I just hang around the field and just got my head in front at the line.
“I’m now looking forward to a victory glass of champagne but then maybe I might have a Ballantine’s.”
In fact, Westwood had plenty of bottles of the sponsor’s product in his luggage as he received a bottle for simply competing, another for the lowest final round plus another for winning the tournament.
And as has been customary, Ballantine’s will now prepare a special blend and put Westwood’s name to it.
“It’s going to be nice to have a special Lee Westwood blend to hand out to friends,” he said.
After the controversy of last week when many across ‘The Pond’ questioned Westwood going back to No. 1, he’s now answered those critics in the best manner possible.
“It’s always nice as World No. 1 to show people you are deserving of the title and that’s what I’ve done this week,” he said.
Westwood will now have a few weeks off before his next event, the May 19th starting Volvo World Matc-Play Championship in Spain.
