LEE WESTWOOD says his marriage to Helen Storey has changed their relationship on the course – she is starting to “over-caddie”!
They stopped off in Las Vegas for the wedding last week on their way to the US Open, and Westwood said Helen now seems more prepared to offer an opinion of how he should play the game.
He grinned: “She can’t really comment too much on how I should play, although she does now and again.
“She has started to tell me what club she thinks it is – that’s what I mean by over-caddying.
“But look, mentally she’s brilliant for me. She knows me better than anybody.
“She’s sat in on sessions with my psychologist and keeps me in the right frame of mind and concentrating on the right things.”
Westwood, 48, said the Vegas wedding was not a spur of the moment thing – but not far off.
He added: “There was a huge amount of planning that went into it – about four weeks!
“It was amazing how easy it was to do. They obviously have a lot of weddings in Las Vegas, and it’s a finely tuned machine.
“Picking up the licenses was no great trauma. I think we were in and out in about ten minutes. And fortunately, Helen said I do.”
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Westwood admits he is at the stage of his career where he is happy to take whatever the game gives him, and has decided on a very simple plan of attack at the US Open this week.
He said: “The idea is to hit the first fairway and just make it up from there.
“Actually, hitting that first fairway, and as many more as possible is paramount, because I don’t remember the rough being this juicy when I finished third here behind Tiger in 2008.
“There’s no reason I shouldn’t play well this week, but I’ll take what I get. I’ve already got a ton to look forward to, which takes a bit of the pressure off.
“Finishing second at the Players and the Arnold Palmer means I’m exempt over here for the rest of this year and next year, and by then I’m practically qualified for the Seniors Tours.
“And I think I’m exempt in Europe until I’m about 68! I’ve also made no secret of the fact I’d like to be a Ryder Cup captain, so the next few years should be pretty busy.”
