Abby Brammell

By Derek Lawrenson in Tucson, Arizona

Dig: Lee Westwood


Nine years ago there was not a single Englishman in the 64-man field for the Accenture Match Play Championship.

Today, there are nine. To put that extraordinary measure of progress into perspective, it is as many qualifiers as those traditional golfing powerhouses Australia and South Africa can muster — combined.

It is facts like that one that lead the country’s foremost ambassador, Lee Westwood, to wonder why more of a song and dance is not made about the unprecedented strength of English golf. Indeed, it clearly grates with him.

In a transparent dig at what he perceives as the media obsession with Andy Murray, Westwood said: ‘For England to provide 15 per cent of the field in an event like this is a staggering achievement, and it doesn’t get the credit it deserves in the general sports media.

‘They highlight players in other sports where we have one in the top 100. In golf, we get overlooked and I don’t think we should.’

There is one obvious way to change all that, of course, and that is to win events such as this, not just make the starting line-up.

This is the next level to which English golf must aspire. For all the near misses in majors in recent years for the likes of Westwood, Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher, no Englishman has won one of these four World Golf Championship events that are one rung down from the Grand Slams, let alone the biggies themselves.

They could hardly ask for a better opportunity than here at Dove Mountain, with Tiger Woods still on indefinite leave and Phil Mickelson on a family holiday, although you never know with 18-hole match play, the most unpredictable of all golfing formats.

Westwood illustrated it perfectly when telling a lovely story of what happened upon leaving home on Sunday, when his five-year-old daughter Poppy asked when he would be back.


On a mission: Westwood
‘Historically Thursday, but optimistically on Monday,’ he replied.

‘She looked at me quizzically.’

If this is new territory for some of the Englishmen like Ross McGowan and Chris Wood, it is the start of a whole new big adventure for Rory McIlroy.

It was at this event that he made his American debut last year — turning heads everywhere by making it to the last eight — and it is here that he plays his first event as a member of the US Tour.

As ever, the Ulsterman tipped to be a future world No 1 by the present holder Woods is drawing wonderful testimonials.

Defending champion Geoff Ogilvy was asked for a reason why the locals should come to an event without Mickelson and Woods.


The champ: Geoff Ogilvy
‘Come and watch Rory,’ he replied.

‘In 20 years’ time when he’s won 10 majors, you can tell everyone you were there when he was 20 years old playing in your home town.’


The one thing McIlroy lacks is experience, and it is showing with any number of top five finishes but still just one professional win.

His frustration was obvious when he said that he was thinking of consulting a sports psychologist but it is patience he needs, more than anything. That, and to keep working on holing the six-footers.

More worrying is a back problem that first revealed itself three years ago and has led to him modifying a schedule to the extent that he is struggling to play three weeks in a row.

‘We’re managing it successfully,’ said his manager Chubby Chandler, but all the same it is a concern for someone so young.


source: dailymail