Westwood shuts down LIV question mark after making major return “That’s rubbish”

Lee Westwood has rubbished claims that competing over 72 holes may well pose a problem at this week’s U.S. Senior Open, having played three-round tournaments for some time over on LIV Golf.

Westwood is in a senior major championship field for the very first time this week, starring as one of the marque names at the event at Newport Country Club, Rhode Island. The Englishman kicked off his event in impressive fashion on Thursday, with a four-under-par 66 in round one.

The former world No. 1’s impressive start in Newport saw him make four birdies and an eagle, alongside two bogeys, to leave him in a tie for fifth at four-under, three shots behind early pace-setters Hiroyuki Fujita and Richard Green.

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Since making the move to LIV Golf in June 2022, Westwood has not featured on the PGA Tour having been suspended by the American-based circuit. A year later he then opted to resign his membership from the DP World Tour, having been handed fines and suspensions for competing in conflicting events.

Having firmly settled into life on the LIV setup, Westwood has been starved of 72-hole golf, but competing over four rounds is clearly not an issue for the European star. Asked if 72 holes could pose a problem this week, Westwood replied: “You know, that’s rubbish really. 72 holes won’t be a problem.”

Instead the Englishman pointed at having to compete in trousers, something he has not been required to do since making the Saudi switch. “I think I can manage it. It’s playing in trousers that’s bothering me more,” he joked. “Like I say, it’s looking down and seeing me legs in trousers. I prefer to get me legs out.”

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Asked if he felt this is change that should be made for this week’s event, Westwood added: “Take more than me, wouldn’t it? If you notice most of the guys wear shorts in practice. You can see how many people are comfortable, especially when it gets a bit warm putting a pair the shorts on.”

Despite struggling for his best form since joining Greg Norman and co, Westwood looked back to his old self in Nashville last week, finishing in tied-third in LIV’s ninth event of the season at 12-under across three rounds. Outlining what is behind the improvement, he said on Thursday: “Just playing a bit more I think and just having a run of a few weeks where I’ve not put the golf clubs down altogether.

“This is a good time of year to play a few tournaments. When I’m not at tournaments, keep my eye in, do a bit of practice. Weather is getting a bit better in England so green conditions are a bit better and that makes me want to practice. Yeah, that’s basically it. Just that sharpens me up. Always played well and been sharper when I’ve not gone home and put the clubs away. It’s a balancing act. I don’t want to play all the time now and I can’t play all the time. It’s just not good for my body.”