Lee Westwood is back on the top spot in the rankings after winning the Indonesian Masters on Sunday, and after Luke Donald, his only rival for the top spot, lost a sudden-death play-off to Brandt Snedeker in South Carolina.
Westwood left Thai golfer Thonghai Jaidee in the dust with a 3-under-96 for the three-stroke win. The victory was made even more memorable since it was the English star’s birthday, which a portion of the crowd reminded him of when Westwood was stepping off the 18th green.
Westwood went in with a five-stroke lead on the final day, opening the rounds with a 68, 66, and another 66. The five-shot lead was later reduced to one as the day progressed. With Jaidee close at his heels, Westwood knew that he had to keep his shots accurate.
“It was quite a day, really,” the 38-year old said. ‘‘I knew it wasn’t going to be easy with a five-shot lead. I’m experienced enough to know that patience is the key.
He managed to make a tricky bird putt on the 11th hole, which was the hardest one he had all day. Jaidee ended with seven birdies in 65, followed by Aussie golfer Marcus Both, Bangladeshi golfer Siddikur, and Park Hyun-bin of South Korea. Another Thai golfer, Thitiphun Chuayprakong lagged three shots behind the others.
With this win and Donald’s defeat in South Carolina, Westwood regains the world number 1 title that he held for 17 weeks before it was taken by Martin Kaymer in February.