England’s Lee Westwood produced a career-best equalling round of an 11-under par 61 on the third day of the WGC – HSBC Champions event in Shenzhen.
Westwood birdied his opening three holes and then went par birdie for the next eight holes to move to 14-under par and seven under for the day on the Olazabal Course at Mission Hills.
The former double European Tour No. 1 then added a par at 13 before four birdies in succession from the 14th before ending his day’s work with an 18th hole par.
Westwood’s effort sent him into the clubhouse leader on 18-under par and tied at the time with South African Louis Oosthuizen who ended up sharing the third round lead in the $7m event with his ISM management stable mate.
“Basically the course is in great condition, and we’re starting to get used to playing it,” said Westwood.
“You know, it was the first time I had seen it in the Pro‑Am on Wednesday and we went around it in buggies or carts, and you don’t really get a feel for it.
“So as the week’s gone on, and we’ve played it and walked it more, I started to sort of get a feel for the golf course more and sort of see the lower scores around it.
“Today was quite calm. Wasn’t a great deal of breeze. You have to keep your aye on it, because it swirls around a lot out there and the course sort of goes through the valley.
“I played very solidly, got off to a nice start, birdied the first three holes and kept ticking over, birdieing the odd hole and finished strongly. Birdied four of the last five. I hit it good, hit it in the fairway, hit it close, and made a couple of 20‑footers which has been missing.”
And Westwood was then left surprised when he was reminded that this tournament was his 41st WGC and that’s more than any other player.
“Really?” said Westwood.
“So it does surprise me I’ve played more than anyone else. I didn’t realise I was that old. I know I’ve played a lot. I never won one. Finished second a few times.
“And over the years, you know, they always felt big but they have increased in stature over the years. They get the best fields. Very rarely does anybody miss them out. They are a nice balance.
“It’s nice to see one being played outside the States; with the title World Golf Championships, it’s nice that one is played in China and Asia, where that’s one of the places where golf can grow a lot.
“I think that’s partly what the World Golf Championships are designed for, as well, to grow the game around the rest of the world.
“They play them around good golf courses and they always ‑‑ no matter which one you turn up to, they always have a big tournament feel to them.”
