LEE WESTWOOD suffered another dose of Sunday heartbreak, as Justin Thomas snatched the Players Championship title from his grasp with a sensational scoring burst.
Thomas made his decisive move with a stunning run from the ninth hole, as he went birdie-birdie-eagle-birdie, to charge from two behind third round leader Westwood, into a two shot lead.
The laser-like accuracy off the tee which helped Westwood take a two shot lead into the final day deserted him. But he dug deep to pull level again with three holes to play.
But Thomas’ crucial birdie at the long 16th piled the pressure back on the Worksop warrior.
And Westy ‘s chance slipped away when he three-putted the 17th as he pressed too hard for the birdie he needed to catch the world No 3.
Ironically, Westwood did conjure up a birdie at the fearsome final hole, to climb out of a three-way tie for second place. But the damage had been done.
And after being forced to surrender a 54 hole lead by Bryson DeChambeau at Bay Hill a week earlier, Westwood, 47, had his pocket picked by another American player twenty years younger than him.
Money is no longer Westwood’s motivation, but the 15 footer he holed on the last was worth half a million dollars.
He picked up a cheque for £1,175,000 instead of the £815k he would have banked for a share of second.
More importantly from Westwood’s points of view, it brought extra world ranking and Ryder Cup points.
After his exploits in Florida over the last two weeks he is a stone cold certainty to make an eleventh appearance for Europe at Whistling Straits in September.
But next up is a two day trip to Augusta for a couple of rounds with his son Sam, 20, who will be caddying for him at the Masters next month.
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Westy commented: “Obviously I’m disappointed not to have won. But I just never felt like I had my best stuff today, and it’s hard to be too upset when you finish second in a tournament as big as this.
“My legs felt a bit heavy in the third round, and again today – I hate to say it, but I AM 47, and I have played a lot of golf recently.
“So maybe my age is catching up with me! But I’ve shown my game is still good enough for me to win out here.
“Heading up to August for the next couple of days for a dads and lads session with Sam will be the ideal way to unwind.
“He’s been there before but never played Augusta, so it will be a big thrill for him. And it will help him get to know the course before he takes over the bag from Helen for the Masters.”
Thomas was struggling to make the cut at level par with three holes of the second round to play, but managed to squeeze into the weekend at two under.
A third round 64 sent him rocketing into contention, and he followed up with a 68 to put the smile back onto his face after the darkest period of his career.
Still can't believe this line
pic.twitter.com/0IiTVPo8vC
— THE PLAYERS (@THEPLAYERSChamp) March 14, 2021
Thomas’ form clearly suffered from the recent death of his grandfather, and the storm that erupted when he was fined for making a homophobic slur – calling himself a faggot for missing a short putt.
That was totally out of character for the former USPGA champion, who had always enjoyed a squeaky clean image before that.
In this mood, he will be a big contender for a second Major title at Augusta – although Westwood could still have something to say about that.
