Lee Westwood Bags Ballantine Title

Top ranked golfer Lee Westwood bagged his second straight win when he won the Ballantine Championship title on Sunday, shooting a winning 5-under under 67 and defeating Miguel Jimenez, fellow European Ryder Cup team mate, by one stroke. The victory was right at the heels of his win at the Asian Tour Indonesian Masters which restored to him the top spot in the world rankings.

'’It’s always nice when you’re world No. 1 to show everybody why you’re in that position. I’m delighted with the way I played this week,” Westwood commented after the win.

The third round was delayed by rain but this did not stop Westwood from shooting a 69 in the completion, just three strokes behind Jimenez, Alexander Noren and Rhys Davies. Two more birdies and he was tied with Jimenez before pulling another birdie to advance. Westwood finished an hour before Jimenez, something that made him a little nervous.

“I was just happy he didn’t make a birdie and make it difficult for me,’’ he said. ‘It’s very nerve-racking when you have to sit there and somebody’s got some holes to play.”

This is his first win on the European Tour since the 2009 Dubai World Championship, which placed him at 9th on the tour’s victory list. Westwood has a total of 35 worldwide victories.