Westwood in flying start

Amateur star Willett leads chasing pack

Last updated: 28th March 2008

lee westwood
First round leaders:
-7 L Westwood (Eng)
-6 JA Larsen (Nor)
-6 D Willett (Eng)
-5 M Millar (Aus)

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Lee Westwood made the ideal start to the defence of his Andalucian Open title, carding a seven-under-par 65 to lead by one shot.

The Ryder Cup star made seven birdies in a flawless round, which lifted him clear of early pace-setter Jan-Are Larsen and Sheffield amateur Danny Willett.

Willett, the 20-year-old son of a clergyman, fired a superb opening round of 66 which included two eagles, both of them coming within the first seven holes of his Tour debut.

Rory McIlroy, just six months into his professional career, also made a fine start with a four-under 68 when the wind was much stronger for the afternoon starters.

Westwood's preparations for The Masters in two weeks' time are in full swing, but he has opted to defend his title in Spain rather than continuing playing in the United States.

Good management

Course management was key, just as it will be at Augusta, and Westwood, looking to stretch his lead in the Ryder Cup points race, commented: "I've always been pretty good at that.

"It's common sense really - but nobody ever said that everybody on the European Tour had common sense.

"I've got one eye on The Masters, but I didn't fancy another two-week stint in the States and nothing beats winning for confidence."

Westwood was back playing with his Ryder Cup partner Darren Clarke, but the Ulsterman mixed an eagle and three birdies with four bogeys and a double bogey.

That added up to a one-over 73, and Clarke revealed afterwards that he had blisters on both feet caused by a pair of new shoes.

"Don't call me stupid because I know I'm stupid," he said. "I played like a part-time professional and part-time 10-handicapper."

Willett, joint second with Norwegian Larsen after the first round, has a plus-five handicap, is the reigning English champion, was a Walker Cup teammate of McIlroy last September and his recent win in the Spanish Amateur took him to the top of the world rankings.

An invitation to play this week's event quickly followed that and he said: "I was quite nervous, but starting with a 25-foot eagle putt took a lot of the nerves out of the way.

"I proved to myself I can play a professional golf course and play well."

Almost a year ago in Portugal, Spaniard Pablo Martin became the first amateur ever to win on the European Tour, so does Willett think he can emulate him?

"I was joking about it before coming here. You never know - it's always in the back of your mind, but you can't think about it on the course," he said.