Westwood shines in wind and rain
ENGLAND’S Lee Westwood may be nursing a ruptured calf muscle but that did not stop him from hitting the ground running at St Andrews.
Westwood (right) began his campaign to finally claim a first Major title with an impressive five-under-par opening round of 67.
The world No3 might have carded an even lower score had he not missed putts at 17 and 18, as wind and rain hindered the afternoon players.
“It was tricky out there. This afternoon the wind blew and we got unlucky with the weather but that happens in links golf,” said Westwood.
“The calf is sore and it gets worse as the day goes on and my ankle swells up. I’m going to the physio and off to have a bit of soft tissue work done on it.”
An Englishman has not won the Open since Nick Faldo in 1992, but Westwood and the unheralded Steve Tiley, who shot a 66, were far from the only men from south of the border to make an encouraging start.
Paul Casey birdied the last to record a 68 and finish day one six shots off the lead, while in-form Justin Rose was one shot further behind. Northern Irish two-time winner Padraig Harrington shot a disappointing 73.