Lee Westwood his contested more WGC events than any other and in a 57th appearance he’s put in himself in contention for a first success on day one of the WGC – Mexico Championship.
The current World No. 49 did let slip a two-shot lead with a pair of bogeys to end his round to find himself among six players sharing the lead, including fellow Englishman Ross Fisher, in posting a four-under par 67.
Westwood has enjoyed 45 wins around the globe in his long pro career and with 39 of those outside of his beloved Britain including two victories on the North American continent and each on the regular PGA Tour.
And now based in Edinburgh Westwood likes the idea of getting out of Miami, where this week’s event was staged for the past 10 years, and climbing some 7,500 feet to Mexico City.
Lee Westwood moves into a six-way share of lead on day one 2017 WGC – Mexico Championship. (Photo @wgcmexico)
“There is an opportunity to use the WGCs as a vehicle to take them around the world, and as the name suggests they are World Golf Championships,” he said.
“We saw what good the Olympic Games did going to Rio and golf being exposed to a wider audience and with the WGCs there is that similar opportunity to be seen in places like Mexico, China, South Africa.
“And after this round today I like the idea of moving them around.”
Also at four under par is reigning PGA Champion Jimmy Walker, Phil Mickelson, Ryan Moore and Spaniard Jon Rahm, who earlier this week joined the European Tour with the goal of qualifying for next year’s Ryder Cup.
Rory McIlroy battled a stomach bug to finish one behind Westwood and capping his round in holing a 28-foot eagle putt at the par five 15th and in a round of a three under par 68.
And on top of posting six birdies in a match earlier in the week at the Seminole club in Florida, McIlroy was delighted there has been delighted to fully recover from a stressed fracture of a rib he had battled with 45 day ago in losing a play-off for the South African Open.
“The rib is fine and it’s great actually how I have responded over the last few weeks as I’ve been able to rev-up the practice and feel great in my first competitive round out there today,” he said.
“So, I didn’t feel any pain at all and it’s all positive in that regard which is good news”.
However the news wasn’t so good for Open Champion Henrik Stenson who succumb to a stomach virus and withdrew after 10 holes.
