The Grove, Watford, England …
A simple $40 training aid has seen Scotland’s Marc Warren move into a share of the lead on the opening day of the British Masters on The Grove course north of London.
Warren, who capped his round in eagling the par five, second hole, produced a five under par 66 before being joined by Finland’s Mikko Ilonen, England’s Tommy Fleetwood and South African Richard Sterne atop of the board in overcast, cold and windy conditions.
The Smart Ball – a training aid by Tour Striker now being used by Marc Warren.
The 35-year old Warren had used his wife’s credit card to go on-line and purchase a ‘Tour Striker’ swing aid comprising a rubber ball attached to a lanyard that the Scot hangs around his neck and holds the hanging ball in place with his two out-stretched arms.
“Basically my arms were not in sync with my body and I was just practicing on the range at home with this little ball that goes between your arms so much so that I feel now I am using my body more than my arms,” he said.
“My swing is now more in sync and it’s given me the freedom to go play the golf course quietly easy.”
Warren’s fifth place last week at the Home of Golf was only his second top-10 in 26 events this year.
“The last couple of months have been clearly difficult so I was delighted to do what I did lsat week and carry on that good form this week,” said Warren.
Ilonen also eagled the second hole as the five-time Tour winner looks to end a two-year victory drought while Sterne, who was joint runner-up last week in Scotland, is out to secure what would be a sixth Tour success but a first in over three years.
England’s Lee Westwood produced a welcome return to form to be among seven players trailing just one shot from the lead and with the winner of the event nine years ago birding three holes in succession early in his round for a four under par 67.
After the disappointment of last fortnight’s Ryder Cup, Westwood has returned to regular competition seeking a first European Tour victory in well over two years, and also a first since capturing last year’s Indonesian Masters on the Asian Tour.
“I played really well today and with Billy (Foster – caddy) saying it’s the best he’s seen me play in quite some time,” said Westwood.
Lee Westwood happy after his round of 67 on the opening day of the British Masters. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
“The driving’s not been great but I drove it really well today, didn’t miss a fairway and hit a lot of good iron shots, to give myself plenty of birdie chances.”
Biggest disappointment was the effort of tournament host Luke Donald who slumped to near the tail of the field with a six over par 77.
And reigning Masters Champion Danny Willett had been forced to withdraw just three minutes prior to tee-off complaining of a back complaint.
