European Tour: Reigning champion Lee Westwood targets third Malaysian Open crown

Reigning champion Lee Westwood is confident of another strong performance at this week's Malaysian Open.

The former world No 1 opened with an seven-under 65 in Kuala Lumpur last season on his way to storming to a seven-shot victory, leaving Nicolas Colsaerts, Louis Oosthuizen and Bernd Wiesberger tied for second. 

Westwood, who first won in Malaysia in 1997, before the tournament was co-sanctioned by the European Tour, is keen to repeat last year's performance this week. 

European Tour Golf

“I am looking forward to going back there,” the world No 30 said. “It’s obviously a golf course I play very well on and it’ll be nice to go back and defend. It’s always nice going back to defend a tournament.

“I think any time you pull away from a field and win by a lot, it’s very satisfying. It was great to win by a few and it’s nice to play the last few holes with a big cushion.

“I’m pleased with the way that I’m playing and if you go back to a course on which you’ve won, you feel like it suits you. Malaysia is a nice place to go play golf, even if it can be a little hot, but I cope well with sticky conditions and it will be a good week no doubt.”

Strong start

Westwood kicked off his season with a top-ten finish at last week’s Dubai Desert Classic, with only a final-round par 72 denying the 41-year-old a place higher up the leaderboard.

The two-time major runner-up opened the final day with three birdies in the first five holes, but a double-bogey on the ninth and further bogeys on the front nine saw him finish eight shots behind winner Rory McIlroy. 

Joining Westwood in a strong field in Kuala Lumpur are Europe's Ryder Cup stars Victor Dubuisson and Stephen Gallacher, while Graeme McDowell will make his first appearance in the event since a tied-17th finish seven years ago.

Two-time winner Thongchai Jaidee will take part a decade on from his last Malaysian Open trophy, with former champions Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Matteo Manassero also featuring.

Watch the Maybank Malaysian Open on Thursday from 5am live on Sky Sports 4  – your home of golf.